Norwegian Jazz

Background

In recent years Norway has also become a major force in world jazz. Pioneers of Norwegian jazz include Jan Garbarek. His cool, almost ambient approach is typical of Norwegian jazz, although recently there have been moves to build bridges with electronica and post-rock. He, too, has linked jazz with traditional Norwegian music, as evidenced in his recording Rosenfole with acclaimed Norwegian traditional-style singer, Agnes Buen Garnås. His daughter, Anja Garbarek, is one of the artists that has renovated the jazz scene, combining sweet melodies with electronic sounds and pop beats.

The work of the Christian Wallumrød Ensemble ("Fabula Suite Lugano", The Zoo Is Far) serves as a leading example of contemporary Norwegian jazz, along with ECM artists Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli. Other contemporary Norwegian jazz stars include the group Supersilent, drummer Jon Christensen, guitarist Terje Rypdal, pianist Bugge Wesseltoft, percussionist Paal Nilssen-Love, bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, Nils Petter Molvær, and experimental jazz band Jaga Jazzist. Many of these artists record for the seminal jazz label ECM. However some of the more modern artists record for the newer Norwegian labels Rune Grammofon, Jazzland Records and Smalltown Superjazzz. (from Wikipedia)

Resources and Further Reading

• Norsk JazzArkiv (Norwegian)
• Jazzbasen ved Nasjonalbiblioteket (Norwegian)
• All About Jazz 101a
• All About Jazz 101b, about jazz in Norway by John Kelman

Jazz Festivals in Norway

• Moldejazz (since 1961)
• Kongsberg Jazzfestival (Wikipedia) - Since 1964, every year in week 27.
• Nattjazz in Bergen
• Maijazz