No Spaghetti Edition

No Spaghetti Edition originated at the start of 2001 around a core group of five free improvisers—Frode Haltli on accordion, Ivar Grydeland on guitar, Håkon Kornstad on reeds, Tonny Kluften on double bass, and Ingar Zach on drums. Conceived as an open pool rather than a fixed unit, the ensemble adjusts its personnel for each appearance according to who is available. Various configurations have drawn players from Element, Scorch Trio, Tri-Dim, and Spunk while also incorporating leading avant-garde figures such as Derek Bailey, Susie Ibarra, Thomas Lehn, Axel Dörner, and Phil Minton. The collective pursues free improvisation that seeks equilibrium between collective texture and individual contributions.

Its first public performance took place in Oslo on March 24, 2001, when the initial quintet, augmented by Paal Nilssen-Love on drums, was joined by reeds player Rolf Erik Nystrøm, guitarist Øyvind Torvund, and Spunk vocalist Maja Ratkje. Two days afterward the musicians entered the studio to capture their debut album, Listen... And Tell Me What It Was, expanding further with Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, Ingar Zach, Axel Dörner, and Pat Thomas to create the largest formation to date—a double sextet. Zach subsequently assumed the drum chair on a permanent basis in place of Nilssen-Love.

The group gave several additional concerts in Norway during the remainder of 2001. Activity increased in 2002, beginning with an appearance by the core quintet alongside Thomas and Phil Minton in London in January. The two English musicians participated in a European tour two months later, material from which formed the album Pasta Variations. The identical lineup undertook another tour through Central Europe that December.