Stian Carstensen
Norwegian Multi-instrumentalist
Stian Carstensen began playing accordion at the age of 9, learning first from his father and later from a classical player. During this time, he played on Norwegian television, radio and festivals as well as toured America playing classical music. When he was 15, Stian began playing electric guitar in a rock band. After a while, he returned to jazz and began to study in the conservatory in Trondheim jazz department with guitar as his main instrument. During 2 study years in Trondheim (91-93), he formed a group Farmers Market. This band still exists today and the 'Farmers Market’ CD on the German label ‘Winter&Winter’ is their third CD. The group toured Europe and Japan in 2000, and in 2001 Farmers Market played at the world’s biggest jazz festival ‘North Sea Jazz’ in Hague, Holland.
Stian also plays 5-string banjo in bluegrass style, playing with various jazz groups including Jon Christensen, Bendik Hofseth, Jarle Vespestad, Django Bats and Ernst Reijseger. His instruments are: accordion, kaval (Bulgarian flute), bagpipes, guitar, violin, mandolin & banjo.