Finnerud was educated at
Statens håndverks- og kunstindustriskole (1967–72), under guidance of
Chrix Dahl and had several exhibitions and has been purchased by
Nasjonalgalleriet. where he played with guitarist and bassist
Bjørnar Andresen. He established the
free jazz band
Finnerud Trio (1967–74), with Bjørnar Andresen and drummer
Espen Rud. With their
Paul Bley inspired musical expression, they played at a number of international jazz festivals, including
Warsaw (1970). They released
Svein Finnerud Trio (1969),
Plastic sun (1970,
Odin Records 1993) and
Thoughts (1974/1984), and became known for his multi-media art forms of jazz and the visual arts, including working with
Peter Opsvik and
Carl Magnus Neumann, as well as
Henie-Onstad Art Centre. The trio recorded the album
Multimal (1971), a musical setting of poems by poet
Trond Botnen. They also took part in the experimental works of
Ketil Bjørnstad. In the 1990s the trio performed at
Moldejazz 1993, and the year after released the album
Travel Pillow, with
Svein Christiansen as replacement on drums (from 1992), and played the
Kongsberg Jazz Festival together with the band
Close Erase (1997). with contributions by
Jon Eberson (guitar),
Terje Gewelt (bass),
Svein Christiansen (drums) and
Nils Petter Molvær (trumpet), as well as his son
Bendik Finnerud (piano). The album
Egne hoder by
Bjørnar Andresen/
Paal Nilssen-Love (BP Records, 2000) has multiple inputs from, and dedications to, Finnerud. Furthermore, you will find the composition
Ida Lupino, by the American composer
Carla Bley on the
Turning pages: Jazz in Norway 1960-70 (Norsk jazzarkiv, 2001). == Works ==