Introduction
Laila Dalseth (born 6 November 1940 in Bergen, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz singer, married (1963-2012) to the jazz saxophonist Theodor "Totti" Bergh (1935-2012), known for numerous recordings and international cooperation and regarded as one of the leading Norwegian Jazz singers.
Career
After an early debut in her hometown Bergen, she was active on the Oslo jazz scene, among others on releases with Kjell Karlsen (b. 1961), Egil Kapstad and Helge Hurum's big band. Dalseth record debuted with Metropol Jazz (1963), participated in «Stokstad/Jensen Trad.Band» ('73−'75), in a band with Per Borthen, as well as at Teatret Vårt in the play Havhesten (1976). She has with her own band released Listen Here! (1999), 1960's album One of a Kind (2000) and then Everything I Love (2003), all on the label Gemini Records. L. D. Quintet consisting of husband Totti Bergh (saxophone), Per Husby (piano), Kåre Garnes (bass) and Tom Olstad (drums).
Dalseth was awarded Buddyprisen 1976, in addition to three times awarded Spellemannprisen i klassen jazz, for Just Friends 1975, Glad There is You 1978 and Daydreams 1984. She was internationally recognized for the record Time for Love (1986) with Red Mitchell, Travelling Light (1986) with Al Cohn, The Judge and I (1991) with Milt Hinton, A Woman's Intuition (1995), her own sextet featuring Philip Catherine, We remember You (1986/2003) with Al Cohn, and Everything I Love 2004. Five of these releases were critically ranked among the «Ten best jazz albums of the year» by the American jazz magazine «Cadence».
Honors
- 1975: Spellemannprisen, in the class Jazz, for the album Just Friends
- 1976: Buddyprisen
- 1978: Spellemannprisen in the class Jazz, for the album Glad There is You
- 1982: «Asker kommunes kulturpris»
- 1984: Spellemannprisen in the class Jazz, for the album Daydreams
- 1986: Gammleng-prisen
- 1994: «Oslo bys kulturstipend»
- 1999: «Oslo Jazzfestivals Ella pris»
Laila Dalseth as Melodi Grand Prix contestant
| Year | Title | Placing in the Norwegian final |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Mormors spilledåse | No. 5 |
| 1962 | Kom sol, kom regn * | No. 1 |
- performed by Inger Jacobsen in the final, where it was no. 10
Diskografi
- Swingin' Departure (1976), within Per Borthen Swing Department
- Glad There Is You (1978)
- Daydreams (1984)
- Time of Love (1986)
- Travelling Light (1987)
- The Judge and I (1992)
- A Woman's Intuition (1995)
- Listen Here (1999)
- Swingin' (1999), within Per Borthen Swing Department and Karin Krog
- One of a Kind (2001)
- We Remember You (2002)
- Everything I Love (2003)
- Takin' Off (2007), within Per Borthen Swing Department