Amalie Dahl (DK) – alto saxophone / Karl Hjalmar Nyberg (SE) – tenor, soprano saxophone and electronics / Marta Warelis (PL) – piano, electronics / Jonathan F. Horne(US)  – electric guitar / Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (NO) – acoustic bass, compositions / Olaf Moses Olsen (NO) – drums

(Exit) Knarr, originally conceived as a commissioned project for Vossa Jazz in 2020, has grown into a dynamic, boundary-pushing ensemble that seamlessly blends elements of Norwegian folk music, avant-garde jazz, and international rhythms. Under the leadership of Norwegian bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, the band draws from his extensive career spanning diverse genres and traditions, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and strikingly innovative. Since its inception, (Exit) Knarr has toured extensively across Europe, earning acclaim at prestigious festivals and establishing itself as a formidable force in contemporary jazz. Featuring an impressive lineup of musicians—Oddrun Lilja, Marta Warelis, Mette Rasmussen, Amalie Dahl, Eivind Lønning, Erik Kimestad Pedersen, Joakim Rainer Petersen, Atle Nymo, Olaf Olsen, Oscar Grønberg, Karl Hjalmar Nyberg, and Jonathan F. Horne—the ensemble showcases a remarkable ability to evolve through various lineups. Their sophomore album, Breezy, released on Sonic Transmissions Records September 27, 2024, marked another milestone for the group. The album was a heartfelt tribute to the late American trumpeter Jamie Breezy Branch, a towering figure in modern jazz, and reflects the band’s commitment to exploring uncharted musical territories. In the spring of 2025 (Exit) Knarr returns with DROPS—a bold third studio album that dives into the world of graphic scores and collective exploration. With a steady lineup featuring Amalie Dahl, Karl Hjalmar Nyberg, Marta Warelis, Jonathan F. Horne, and Olaf Olsen, the band transforms abstract concepts into visceral, shape-shifting soundscapes rooted in jazz, improvisation, and electronic music. Austin Vibes masterfully tweaked by Karl Hjalmar Nyberg! The opening track, Deluge, is a powerful reimagining of Wayne Shorter’s composition from his iconic JuJu album (1965), recorded live in studio with an extended version of the band including former members Mette Rasmussen (alto) and Veslemøy Narvesen (drums). It forms part of Flaten’s larger deconstruction of JuJu, bridging eras and voices in a deeply personal homage.

The origins of (Exit) Knarr reveal a spark of creative synergy that has only grown stronger with time. For those familiar with Håker Flaten’s three-decade career as one of the finest musicians in jazz and improvised music, it was clear from the start that this project was something special. (Exit) Knarr is not just a band but a space for artistic collaboration, where great musicians come together to elevate one another and create something truly unique. This ethos is evident in the sheer musical joy captured on Drops. Few bands in 2025 can match the vibrant energy and sense of discovery that (Exit) Knarr embodies, making it not just a thrill to hear but undoubtedly a joy to be part of.

The band was touring Europe during August and September 2025 started with Saalfelden Jazzfestival on Aug 22, Jazzfest Willisau on Aug 26, Cologne Jazzweek on Sept 2, followed by an extensive European tour from Sept 17 – 27. A live album from this tour is being released on Sauajazz on June 6th in combination with the bands performance at the Nattjazz festival in Bergen! Several festival performances and a new European tour is now being worked on for summer and fall 2026.

For more info or booking requests contact Malwina at No Earplugs agency here.

(Booking : Malwina Witkowska / noearplugs.no) /

HILMA VIDEO (by Erik Johannessen) / FREE THE JAZZ VIDEO (by Juliane Schútz)

“Combining spiky attitude with explosive skills, Breezy packs much into its terse running time, making it the year’s most celebratory jazz LP.” – MOJO / Andy Cowan

“‘Free The Jazz’ showcases fierce interplay between piano and electric guitar, reminiscent of mid-’80s Tom Waits, while saxophonists alternate between harsh squeals and triumphant fanfares. The bass drives it all with a relentless heartbeat.” – Phil Freeman / Stereogum

“Bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten has declared, “Free the jazz,” a turn of phrase so appropriate, it’s surprising no one else has used it yet. The members of Flaten’s (Exit) Knarr group have taken his rallying cry seriously.” – Mike Shanley

“(Exit) Knarr has proved itself a versatile and resourceful unit, steeped in the European improv tradition, but imbibed with a swagger and nuance, astride a deep musical chemistry. Let us hope Flaten’s next release continues to further develop this bond.” – Rob Garrett / All About Jazz 

“Finding the sweet spot where the exploratory currents of Jazz meet the forcefulness of Rock, is the core of (Exit) Knarr’s aims. This brief  –  barely 33 minute – session demonstrate this fruitful mixture as a group of international improvisers saturate five tunes with balanced intensity.” – Ken Waxman / JazzWord

“One of Håker Flaten’s strongest records to date. Festivals not booking this band in 2025 are missing out on something extraordinary. Brilliant!” – Jan Granlie / Saltpeanuts

“Years of musical experience distilled into Breezy, culminating in an intense tribute to Jaimie Branch on the title track. The album resonates with history and brilliance.” – Arild R. Andersen / Jazznytt

“A fitting tribute to Jaimie Branch and a testament to Håker Flaten’s prowess as both composer and bandleader.” – The Stash Daubner

“With his white-hot Scandinavian band, Flaten delivers a tribute to Jaimie Branch full of energy, groove, and a touch of madness. A remarkable second album.” – Matthieu Jouan / Citizenjazz

“(Exit) Knarr merges Håker Flaten’s Norwegian and American influences into a unique sound, with tracks like ‘Dylar’ exuding African-tinged exuberance reminiscent of the Motvind label.” – Bill Meyer / The Wire

“The title track is a heartfelt homage to Jaimie Branch, anchoring the emotional depth of this joyous album. Breezy would have loved it.” – Eyal Hareuveni

“The band thrives on its deep empathy and shared joy, creating music that is as invigorating to perform as it is to experience.” – Tor Hammerø / Nettavisen

“Captivating, cinematic, and hard-hitting free jazz at its finest, with a powerful tribute to Jaimie Branch in the title track.” – Espen Løkeland-Stai / Dagsavisen

“Flaten hits a career peak on Breezy, shaping musicians into conduits for his vision with love, freedom, and empathy at its core.” – Mike Toland / Big Takeover (US)

“Flaten fuses American jazz traditions with African influences and aggressive modern jazz, keeping audiences captivated throughout.” – Lars Mossefinn / Dag og Tid (NO)

“(Exit) Knarr is Flaten’s ideal ensemble, channeling his exuberant jazz through a dynamic, international group of versatile musicians.” – Roberto Mandolini / RockeRilla (IT)

“This half-hour of music demands to be played loud and replayed immediately. Truly outstanding!” – Radiohoerer (DE)

“The closing track, ‘Breezy,’ builds from somber bass to a cathartic explosion of emotion, blending rage, grief, and longing into a life-affirming finale.” – John Kenyon

“Over time, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten has probably become the Norwegian performer on the ‘ox fiddle’ who has made the biggest impression in international jazz since, Arild Andersen.”– 5.5 out of 6 in Klassekampen / Chris Monsen
 
“Flaten, perhaps the most influential bassist in Norway in recent decades, has also wisely chosen a great, young band in the back to sum up his first fifty years on planet jazz.”– Morgenbladet / Andy Woltmann

“A maturity has entered Ingebrigt Håker Flaten’s music. A bigger perspective perhaps! As if the fifty-year-old has absorbed everything he has been involved in and now he lets (Exit) Knarr enjoy it.”– 5 of 6 in Aftenposten / Arild R. Andersen
 
“Rasmussen turns her soul inside out in the tribute to Mexico City, ‘Chaos Pad’ before the album ends collectively ‘krautrocking’ with praise to Amsterdam, ‘Museumplein’. The ending is a fanfare for a musician who has never been afraid to take chances and bet on what he believes in.”– Dag og Tid / Lars Mossefinn

“It highlights Håker Flaten’s role as a natural leader, with a powerful sound of his own, the wisdom to hold it all together, to make it swing and rock, and most of all, to inspire us to make our world more passionate and more compassionate, more harmonious. Great album by one of the great ones.”– Salt Peanuts/Eyal Hareuveni

“It is soulful and cinematic, intense when needed, and always with Flaten’s humble rumble as the sonic and heartfelt center of the music. Listening to these different but recognizable sounds seen in an autobiographical context is simply touching.”– Filip Roshauw / Now’s The Time, Jazznytt
 
“(Exit) Knarr” shows off the undeniably strong skill of Ingebrigt Håker Flaten in crafting a literal journey through the world all without needing to say a single word.” “Ingebrigt Håker Flaten has an absolute blast on “(Exit) Knarr” and it shows.”– Beach Sloth

“All in all, a really exciting work from the jazz / experimental jazz area that allows itself to be very catchy without giving up craziness. With all the weirdness and possibly also improvisation – all in all, this is extremely perfect and disciplined, which together with the excellent sound leads to a listening pleasure of a different kind.” – Musik an sich

discography

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