Carl Morten Iversen (1 May 1948 â 19 October 2023) was a Norwegian jazz musician (upright bass), and the son of jazz violinist Arild Iversen (1920âÂÂ65). He was known from numerous recordings and had long been central to the Oslo Jazz scene.
Iversen â known as CMI among friends â was born in Oslo, and began playing as an accompanist for folk singers from 1965. Among others, he played with Lars Klevstrand at Moldejazz in 1968 and 1973, and attended an album with Lillebjørn Nilsen in 1974.
He got into jazz in 1970, and studied jazz in the United States until 1972. When returning, he played in a variety of bands from 1973, including with the Balke brothers, Jon Balke Quartet and Ditlef Eckhoff Quintet 1973âÂÂ74, Magni Wentzel Quintet 1974âÂÂ76 and 1979âÂÂ84 with the album Sofies plass (1983), Guttorm Guttormsen Quartet 1974âÂÂ80 with the albums Soturnudi (1975) and Albufeira (1979). With guitarist Jon Eberson he has released duoalbums Jazz for men (2001), Standards (2003) and the live recording Levende pÃÂ¥ Fyret (2006). He attended the album Live (2009) with Magni Wentzel Sekstett.
Iversen was president of Norsk Jazzforbund 1972âÂÂ75, twice the president of Foreningen Norske Jazzmusikere (later merged into Norsk Jazzforum) 1979âÂÂ1981 og 1989âÂÂ1993, and also the editor in charge of the Jazznytt magazine. For several years, he was the president of the Norwegian branch of PEN International. He also served as the president of Norges KunstnerrÃÂ¥d (the Norwegian Artists' Council).
After his death, his instrument is being lent to aspiring young talents for periods of 5âÂÂ7 years. This is administered by Norsk Jazzforum. The first musician to have this honour is Johannes Elnan (2025âÂÂ).