Norwegian guitarist
Mads Eriksen (born 12 October 1962) is a Norwegian guitarist and composer, known as solo artist and for his collaboration with Chris Thompson among others.
Biography.
Eriksen was born in Bergen and picked up the guitar at twelve, and started the band "Lorraine" in 1976 together with schoolmates (including keyboardist Hans-Petter Isaksen &amp; bassist Roar Nilson) from Nattland primary school. He got the role as "local guitar hero" inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Stones guitarist Keith Richards, playing at school dances. He continued appearing in various local bands, including "Sharks &amp; Whales" (the continuation of "Lorraine" now including Hans-Petter Isaksen &amp; bassist Ole Vaksdal) with the album "Reaped by Man" released in 1988.
After being labeled "A cross between Joe Satriani and Eddie Van Halen" by the "Guitar Player Magazine" in 1989, Eriksen has embarked on a solo recording career together with producer and bassist Frank Hovland. In 1989 he debuted as a solo artist with the album "Journey", and has released a total of eight solo albums since then. Among other releases is the album "Rediscovery" which was released together with previous Manfred Mann's Earth Band guitarist and vocalist Chris Thompson.
In 1993 Eriksen was invited to contribute to the 150th anniversary of Edvard Grieg's birth. The result was a mini-CD called "Intermission Troldhaugen" (1993), where he interpreted six compositions by Grieg on electric guitar. This was also the year Eriksen participated in the band "Jordal Express" with Helge Jordal, Gisle Johnsen, Eirik "Pytten" Hundvin and Magne Lunde. The following year he was appointed musical ambassador of Norway in the U.S.
Eriksen has also performed with Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra among other symphony orchestras. In the spring of 2009 he toured with Ronni Le Tekrø (TNT) og Terje Rypdal under the name N3 (short for Norwegian Three).
Eriksen has been working full-time as a guitarist and guitar teacher since 1988. In addition to many private students, he has taught in the municipal musical schools in Bergen and Sund. From 1989 he held a permanent position as part-time teacher of electric guitar at Voss Folk High School until 2001. Since 1994 he has been frequently used as teacher at the Bergen College of Education, Åsane Folk High School, Voss high school and Kongshaug music college.
Mads Eriksen is the father of Major Parkinson guitarist Øystein Bech-Eriksen.
References.
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