Norwegian label Is It Jazz? Records opens its 2026 calendar with the fifth album from Bergen-based jazz orchestra Whatever Happens Don’t Be Yourself. The release, titled Tales of No Consequence, arrives on February 27.
For Tales of No Consequence, Drønen convenes percussionist Snorre Bjerck, known for work with Mari Boine, Sainkho Namtchylak and Jon Balke in world music contexts; pianist Isach Skeidsvoll; saxophonist Aksel Røed; bassist Rasmus Lagerberg; and bassist Torkil Hjelle, associated with General Post Office and Paal Nilssen-Love. The lineup also includes guitarist Mads Berven (Kniv og Taffel), Barcelona-based trumpeter Audun Waage (Jojo Mayer), and Norwegian Grammy-nominated vocalist Nelly Moar.
The album documents the band’s live approach, combining free improvisation with composed material and drawing influence from artists such as Art Ensemble of Chicago, Charles Mingus and Alice Coltrane. Whatever Happens Don’t Be Yourself has previously appeared at the AMR Jazz Festival in Geneva and Nattjazz in Bergen.