Bjørn Klakegg graduated from the very first class of the jazz program in Trondheim, Norway, in 1981, and soon became known as a guitarist both in and around Oslo’s jazz scene. Early on, he gained attention for his inventive modifications to the guitar: a fishing reel with strings attached, glass thimbles for his fingers instead of a bottleneck, rubber bands mounted on the bridge, a whammy bar microphone, and much more.

A recurring theme in reviews of Bjørn’s music is that he’s difficult to categorize — something clearly reflected in his discography. Among his many projects, he co-founded Out To Lunch in the late 1980s, later formed NUKU, and collaborated extensively with drummer and percussionist Harald Skullerud on several acclaimed albums.

When Bjørn founded Needlepoint in 2010, it marked his first real step into prog rock, and, for Bjørn, the beginning of not only being a guitarist but also a vocalist. Alongside seven albums with Needlepoint, he has also released three albums with Local Store, exploring a more pop-oriented sound. After five decades of releases, “Old Folks” marks the first time Bjørn Klakegg performs jazz standards on record.