A creative stroke of luck
Jeff Wasserman and Lars Beckstrøm shared an interest in American, Irish and Scandinavian folk music - so they joined forces to form an acoustic duo.
They met at a monthly jam session in 2017 at ‘Valkyrien Restaurant’ (the birthplace of Valkyrien Allstars). They quickly hit it off, discovering that they shared a love of the British Isles and American folk music from both the 60s and 70s, such as the Incredible String Band, Fairport Convention, Mike Seeger, and John Prine, as well as traditional folk music from these countries. These off-colour songs created a great atmosphere around the table and in the room.
Since then, they've met weekly - even every week throughout the pandemic. Both Beckstrøm (better known from deLillos, Beckstrøm Kvartett, Humble Servants, Dei nye kapellanane) and Wasserman (better known Gone At Last, Jeffrey's
Reverie and as the lyricist of hits such as ‘Everyone Needs A Friend’ and ‘Tell Me Where You're Going’ and as a lyricist for Adam Douglas, Knut Reiersrud, Jonas Fjeld, among others) are recognised songwriters and both have released a number of albums with their own songs. It wasn't long before they started writing songs together.
After several successful concerts, they are now looking forward to continuing as a duo and are already recording an album.
Both are multi-instrumentalists, and together they create new and exciting arrangements on a folk music journey with their own songs and traditional Celtic and American songs and some Norwegian as well.
Experience cannot be taught, it must be learnt over time. With a combined 70 years of experience from thousands of live concerts, Beckstrøm & Wasserman have mastered the art of lifting and grasping the audience's heartstrings.
Lars Beckstrøm - mandolin, guitar, bouzoki, vocals
Jeff Wasserman - guitar, mandocello, mandolin, fiddle, vocals
------------------------------------------------------------------
Doors open at 18.45 with sale of Violetas pizza.
ARE YOU COMING BY TRAIN?
It's not a long walk from Ogna station to Ogna stage (15 min) but with Ogna Stage's Shuttle bus service, they pick up and drop off their fantastic audience members who are going to Ogna Stage at Ogna train station completely free of charge.
They arrange it so that those who take the train from Stavanger will be picked up at 18.50 (approx.). From Egersund at 19.36 (approx.).
They will also bring you to the station after the concert.
Ogna Scene wants to make it easy and comfortable for you.
NB. They only have one car... If there are many people to be driven, there may be a 5-10 minute wait.