Lotus -

Lotus was a Norwegian jazz-rock band that released a 1979 self-titled album on Nor-Disc.

Members: Åsmund Snortheim (bass), Bent Patey (guitar), Ole Henrik Giørtz (piano), Espen Rud (percussion, drums), Finn Sletten (drums, 1976-79), Vidar Johansen (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, 1977-83), Audun Kleive (drums, 1981-83)

Background

Lotus formed in 1975 in Oslo when Bazar alumni guitarist Bent Patey and keyboardist Ole Henrik Giørtz started an instrumental quartet, with bassist Åge Røthe among the founding members. Patey toured with improvisational group Sorcery on an anti-EEC campaign in 1972 and joined Bazar for the 1974 album Drabantbyrock. Giørtz sang and drummed in Bazar, then shifted to electric piano for the new quartet.

The quartet debuted at Høvikodden under a one-off name, then adopted Lotus for subsequent bookings. Lotus worked mainly in Oslo and eastern Norway, with short trips to western Norway and Sweden. By the Arendal festival in summer 1976, drummer Finn Sletten joined as the lineup expanded to five members. Sletten came to Oslo from Bodø with prior experience in Up With People and Paul Weeden’s Spice of Life. Lotus featured in a dedicated radio program and appeared at Vossajazz in March 1977 with saxophonist Erik Balke, guitarist Patey, electric pianist Giørtz, drummer Sletten and bassist Røthe.

Vidar Johansen replaced Balke in 1977 from the Erik Balke/Vidar Johansen Quartet, which appeared at Moldejazz and Vossajazz. Åsmund Snortheim took the bass position for the album lineup. Espen Rud joined the sessions on percussion. Lotus recorded “Oljelåt” and “Ess-moll Låt” at concerts for the fifteenth anniversary of Club 7 in 1978 for the MAI double album Club 7’s jubileumsplater. Lotus secured a Polydor contract for original instrumental material, which led to 1978 sessions at Rosenborg Studio for the self-titled debut album.

Discography: