Danish group Human Being Human are a piano trio with a name that is a question as much as a statement, in which bassist-composer Torben Bjørnskov gently asks just what being human entails.

Torben Bjørnskov acoustic bass, electronics

Torben Bjørnskov is musician and composer and one of Denmark’s most sought-after bassists. He has performed / toured in most of the world and worked with musicians from a large number of countries, especially the U.S.A. and the Scandinavian countries. The concerts have taken place from local jazz clubs to large international venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Royal Festival Hall in London. In addition, he participates in a large number of studios and live recordings, including a number of album releases in his own name.

Esben Tjalve piano, keys

Esben Tjalve is a pianist and composer and Bachelor from the Royal Academy of Music with a Master’s in Composition from the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has been living in London for a number of years and has been active on the English jazz scene. In addition, Tjalve has written music for BBC radio drama, Universal, EMI and Warner Chappell as well as written award-winning music for films for various artists and released two jazz albums with his own band Red Kite.

Frederik Bülow drums

Frederik Bülow is a drummer and composer and DMA winner with his band Bangin’ Bülow’s Nice Jazz Quartet. BBNJQ has toured in Europe, Russia and the USA. Frederik’s Jazztronica quintet Abekejser has broken the boundary between jazz and electronic music and has been awarded the Jazz News Prize.

Human Being Human are a piano trio with a name which is a question as much as a statement, in which bassist-composer Torben Bjørnskov gently asks just what being human entails. 

“I wondered, does everyone really want to be human?” he explains. “Because we can’t take for granted that everyone wants to share love and be good. When I was younger, I was really into Gandhi and John Lennon, who were fighting for peace. I realised that I don’t have the courage to be a true revolutionary and put my life on the line like they did. All I could do is make my family, and especially kids, feel good, and loved. So, one philosophy with this music was to spread some of these feelings. It’s not a big revolution – but small rings in the water.”