The Trondheim Jazz Festival was founded in 1979 as JazzMazz and received its current name (Jazzfest) in 1994. The festival was centered around the jazz program of the Department of Music at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The festival is the result of collaboration between Trondheim Jazzforum, Norsk Jazzforum (Norwegian Jazz Forum), the Student Society in Trondheim (Samfundet), the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, and several venues. The first artistic director of the festival was Norwegian jazz pianist Bjørn Willadsen.
The Trondheim Jazz Festival offers a rich and diverse program which includes both classic and contemporary jazz as well as a variety of related genres that have been heavily influenced by jazz throughout their development. According to the organizers, their festival represents the past, present and future of the national and international jazz scenes.
Jazzfest Trondheim is held every spring, typically in early May. Holding a jazz festival in spring has its pros and cons. On the one hand, the festival season reaches its peak in summer so the Trondheim Jazz Festival doesn’t have many competitors scheduled for the same dates. On the other hand, some musicians can’t participate in off-season festivals due to other commitments. That’s why the organizers also hold a series of concerts called the Jazzfest Exclusive throughout the year.
The festival lasts for about a week and features around 30 concerts in different venues. Festival venues vary from small clubs and cafes to large concert halls, theaters and even churches. Performers include both up-and-coming local artists (including music students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and internationally recognized jazz musicians from around the world.
Photo: jazzfest.no
