Artist

Kurt Nilsen

Last updated: 15 hours ago

Award-winning singer-songwriter Kurt Nilsen can remember working daily to support his kids as a plumber, and then struggling nightly to pursue his dreams as a musician. Nilsen’s anthemic story would find him rising to prominence as a powerhouse Norwegian artist who won the international singing competition, World Idol.

Back home, he is beloved for his dazzling Christmas shows, his stunning vocal prowess, and his country-tinged solo albums. For his latest album, Like My Love For The Ocean, out February 2026, Nilsen decided to shake things up by creating a gorgeous crooner-with-orchestra album. It’s a romantic and cinematic modern classic perfect for a sophisticated international audience that savors Malbecs and espressos.

Nilsen’s songwriting abilities have often been overshadowed by his gifts as a singer, until now. Like My Love For The Ocean is the perfect setting for his sumptuous vocals. It’s an album that invites comparisons to <a href="spotify:artist:3rxeQlsv0Sc2nyYaZ5W71T" data-name="Chet Baker">Chet Baker</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5W5bDNCqJ1jbCgTxDD0Cb3" data-name="Willie Nelson">Willie Nelson</a>—who Nilsen has worked with—and <a href="spotify:artist:2Kx7MNY7cI1ENniW7vT30N" data-name="Norah Jones">Norah Jones</a>. It’s Nilsen’s first album with an orchestra, and it features Norway's finest—the Grammy-winning ensemble, <a href="spotify:artist:7rXCWLNIVc3gBq0DhhffbQ" data-name="TrondheimSolistene">TrondheimSolistene</a>.

From winning World Idol, he embarked on a chart-topping solo career. His Christmas album, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, stayed on top of the Norwegian album charts for five consecutive weeks. He has performed with a diverse array of artists, from <a href="spotify:artist:5W5bDNCqJ1jbCgTxDD0Cb3" data-name="Willie Nelson">Willie Nelson</a> to former Spice Girl <a href="spotify:artist:60vX3zLcdKRXvKLITVh5Df" data-name="Melanie C">Melanie C</a>.

Monthly Listeners

356,985