Morten Gunnar Larsen received his education in classical piano as a graduate from the Norwegian Academy of Music in 1978, specializing in the fields of classic ragtime and early jazz piano. He recorded his first solo album in 1975 which received the prestigious "Spellemannsprisen" award (the Norwegian Grammy). He has made numerous appearances on Norwegian television and radio and has performed both solo and as guest performer with several jazz groups. Morten has been a regular member of several Norwegian jazz bands: (including Magnolia Jazz Band, Ytre Suloens Jassensemble and the Norwegian Rhythm Kings), and has done several tours with them in Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, Tanzania, Moscow and Singapore. In 1977 he founded his own orchestra, the 10-member Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra. From 1979 Morten Gunnar Larsen as soloist and with his orchestra has toured to the US many times, travelled throughout the country (New York, New Orleans, Washington D.C., Kansas City, Philadelphia, Houston, Boulder, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Scott Joplin Festival etc.), he was temporary member of the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, recorded a few albums both in solo and with his Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra, for the GBH/Jazzology and Decca labels. Morten received many awards throughout the years, including "OBIE" for his role as piano soloist and as musical director for his "Jelly Roll!" show (which had an exceptional 11-month run in New York in 1995) and the "BUDDY" award as jazz musican of the year in Norway in 1993.