Awakenings Chris Johnson & Orkester 20:20

• 1 Opening 06:25
• 2 Givin' it, Gettin' it 07:16
• 3 Phoebus' Foibles 06:18
• 4 Still Too Soon 06:52
• 5 Vignette 01:44
• 6 Shine On! 07:23
• 7 Ending 03:56
• Total Runtime 39:54

Info for Awakenings

Awakenings is the debut album from Orkester 20:20, a 20-piece modern Sinfonietta based in Vestfold, Norway. Blending jazz, funk, classical, and cinematic influences, composer and artistic director Chris Johnson crafts a new musical language that’s rhythmically vibrant and structurally rich.

Recorded live in Sandefjord, the album features seven original tracks and a bold reimagining of Ariana Grande’s ‘Side to Side,’ featuring guest vocalist Trine Kjølstad. The ensemble includes notable soloists such as Hans Mathisen (guitar), Andreas Bye (drums), and André Kassen (saxophone).

Orkester 20:20:
Anders Gleditch, piano, organ
Andreas Bye, drum kit
Hans Mathisen, guitar
Kristian Grude, bass
Helge Christiansen, percussion
Hoang Uy, keyboards
André Kassen, saxophones
Ane Pedersen, clarinet, Bb & bass clarinet
Silje Mikkelsen, flute, piccolo
Øystein Trollsås, saxophones & bass clarinet
Øyvind Nystad, Bb Clarinet, alto saxophone
Helge Grinde, trumpet, flugelhorn
Petter Hole, trumpet, flugelhorn
Magnus Murphy Joelson, trombone
Knut Erik Rusten, trombone
Bendik Engebretsen Kløvendal, violin
Julian Saxl, violin
Kristine Emilie Krüger, viola
Krzysztof Krol, viola
Julian Cash, cello
Elin Hoffart, cello

Orkester 20:20
Norway’s first professional ensemble dedicated to modern rhythmic orchestral music. The group unites musicians from jazz, classical, and contemporary popular traditions. With a mission to reshape the role of the orchestra for today’s audiences, O20:20 performs music that bridges styles and reflects how we truly listen — in layered, cross-genre soundscapes.

This ensemble of top-tier professionals also contributes significantly to Vestfold’s cultural life through education, collaboration, and original commissions.

Chris Johnson


Chris Johnson is a British-born, Norway-based composer, arranger, conductor, and educator. A member of the Norwegian Composers Society since 2013, his work spans orchestral, choral, and popular styles. His arrangements have been performed by José Carreras, Maria Mena, and others, and his work has been broadcast on Norwegian TV. Chris is committed to increasing access to new music and has developed curriculum and community programs across Norway, and the UK.

“Awakenings is a melodic, cinematic, beat-driven album drawing from jazz, soul, classical and pop. It’s beautiful, playful, bold when it needs to be, and always melodic. An album to listen to not just in the morning- but all day, and all night too.” — Bjørn Tore Brøske, cultural journalist

This album contains no booklet.