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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited Silje Nergaard from Norway to end this year's Jazz Up Series in November.

One of the most unique vocalists in today's international jazz arena, Silje Nergaard is also a seasoned composer highly skilled in the craft of song writing. Nergaard's public recognition in the jazz world came at the age of 16, when she joined an impromptu jam session on stage at Norway's Molde International Jazz Festival and unknowingly launched an international career. National jazz journalists applauded this discovery, lauding the new vocal star appearing on jazz's horizon. Almost overnight, Nergaard became one of the most respected jazz vocalists in Norway, characterized by her uniquely heartfelt style of singing. Her unusual and original vocal improvizations thrilled audience and critics alike. The world-renowned guitarist Pat Metheny also was similarly impressed, enough so to recommend her to noted producer Richard Niles. Nergaard has so far released seven albums in total, and each of them has won critical acclaim.

The development in her career has resulted in a whirlwind of success in 2001. In January, Nergaard appeared with the 60-piece NRK Radio Orchestra for a special live concert including her band, focusing on her own compositions and selected standards. The event received unanimously positive critical reviews. In April, she received the honour of being the only European artist voted to participate in the prestigious Verve Now Tour, which brought her to many European countries. Nergaard has toured Germany extensively, and performed at major jazz festivals such as The North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Haag, the Stockholm Jazz Festival, and numerous summer festivals in Germany, among others. In July she opened the Kongsberg International Jazz Festival as the featured performer, to a sold-out performance and an overwhelmingly appreciative audience.

She also performed with the guitarist Pat Metheny at a sold-out performance at the Molde International Jazz Festival, which also received the highest critical praise. She has performed for television in Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, and has been broadcasted throughout the continent.

The Concert by Silje Nergaard will be staged at 8 pm on November 22 (Friday) at Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $300, $200 and $120 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Discount tickets for students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis).

For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservation, please call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999; for internet booking, please visit www.urbtix.gov.hk. To search more information on internet, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp

End/Tuesday, October 29, 2002

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