The big concert guide for Kongsberg Jazz Festival 2024:
This is how you find the concerts that suit you best
The Kongsberg Jazz Festival program offers many different sound tracks.
Jazz lover? Most ready for folk festival? Kongsberg Jazzfestival has in many ways several festivals within the big festival. Here we show you different routes through this year's festival programme.
Everyone has different music preferences, and no one has time to see and hear everything during the four days of the festival anyway. You have to choose a few concert experiences during the festival, or maybe you only get to visit the festival on a few selected days.
That's why we've sorted this year's festival program a bit, so that it might be easier to choose - or easier to find the good festival experiences.
There are several paths through this year's Kongsberg Jazz Festival programme. Kongsberg Jazz Festival is both broad and narrow. We are international, national and local. There are concerts both early and late, on big stages and small stages. In other words: Every day is a party, with something for every taste.
Below you will find an overview of most of what is on the poster in the anniversary year. We have set up a selection of festival menus within eight different categories.
You can continuously scroll down through all the categories, or click on the links below to go directly to the category. Happy festival!
Jazz from the top shelf: Norwegian
Jazz from the top shelf: Abroad
Rock and alternatively from the neighborhood of jazz
The cream of Norwegian
Short journey: Made in Kongsberg
The young and promising
Popular amusements
Peculiar children, many names
Jazz from the top shelf: Norwegian
The recent NRK documentary is not titled "The Jazz Adventure" for nothing. Jazz in Norway maintains a sky-high level. We are always proud that the best jazz on Kongsberg's festival program is often Norwegian. This is also the case this year, with a great breadth of expression and several of the best performers of their generations represented.
Wednesday 3 July:
Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity + Emmeluth & Møster
Energy mill, at 18:00.
Gard Nilssen has gained an enormous position as a versatile drummer in his generation, most recently seen as "house drummer" in NRK's documentary series "Jazzeventyret". His trio with André Roligheten (saxophone) and Petter Eidh (bass) is always worth catching. For the occasion, saxophone favorites Kjetil Møster and Signe Emmeluth are also guests.
Eberson
Christians Kjeller, at 21:00.
Jon Eberson is one of the great Norwegian jazz guitarists, while his daughter Marte Eberson has, among other things, speed time from Highasakite. This is how telepathic, genetically charged hybrid music turns out. An excellent way to start this year's festival. It is extra funny that we find two musicians with Kongsberg roots in the band: Morten Qvenild on keys and Axel Skalstad on drums.
Thursday 4 July:
DNB award winner: Per Zanussi: "Liminal Beings"
Sølvsalen/Krona, at 17:30.
Lots of Zanussi bass in the monitor during this year's festival, but that's what happens when you've won the coveted DNB Musician's Award. The commission "Liminal Beings" opens Zanussi's hectic Kongsberg days, a natural "must hear" moment for anyone interested in contemporary Norwegian jazz.
Saturday 6 July:
Susanna: Baudelaire & Oslo Sinfonietta
Kongsberg Music Theatre, at 18:00.
There are rumors about this orchestral project of Kongsberg's own Susanna Wallumrød, who sets new music to texts by Charles Baudelaire. The premiere was at the Munch Museum earlier this year, but now there will be an opportunity to see and hear the adventure at home in the Musikkteatret.
Beady Belle
Christians Kjeller, at 22:30.
She has been a name and a voice ever since the trip-hop wave swept into Norwegian cafes and clubs in the 90s. More than 20 years and ten Beady Belle albums later, Beate Slettevoll Lech stands firm as one of the finest Norwegian jazz and soul singers of her generation.
Jazz from the top shelf: Abroad
In the autumn, we will be exhibiting our entire poster history at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival an exhibition at Grafill in Oslo. We gasp a little at the names printed on our old posters, but we are also proud of what we have brought down from the top international jazz shelf in our jubilee year as a 60-year-old festival. Kongsberg Musikkteater is a kind of main stage in this segment, with detours to Energimølla and Kongsberg church.
Wednesday 3 July:
Opening concert: Cécile McLorin Salvant
Kongsberg Music Theatre, at 18:00.
We are looking forward to this - a fantastic jazz singer gets to open the festival in an intimate setting in the Music Theater when we celebrate our 60th anniversary. Still only 34, but Grammy wholesaler and vocal jazz's first lady right now. What a delight!
THURSDAY 4 JULY:
John Scofield & Dave Holland Duo
Kongsberg Music Theatre, at 21:00 p.m.
John Scofield just keeps going, he becomes no less of a legendary jazz guitarist over the years, most recently with a great stretch of discs on ECM. This year he returns to Kongsberg in a dream duo with bassist Dave Holland. Common denominator: Both have played with Miles Davis!
FRIDAY JULY 5:
Billy Cobham's Time Machine
Energy mill, at 14:00.
You get a kick out of just seeing a picture of the energetic Billy Cobham with a bandana and drumsticks. He comes to Energimølla with his Time Machine. You probably won't get a better late lunch during this year's festival. In addition, this year marks 50 years since Billy Cobham played a legendary concert at the old Kongsberg cinema.
Joshua Redman Group feat. Gabrielle Cavassa
Kongsberg Music Theatre, at 21:00.
West coast at Lågen! Initially inherited from a father who played with Ornette Coleman and Keith Jarrett, but saxophonist Joshua Redman has positioned himself well outside his father's shadow. With him in the Musikkteatret he has the distinctive singer Gabrielle Cavassa.
SATURDAY 6 JULY:
Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation
Kongsberg church, at 23:59.
Jazz, soul, gospel, r&b, blues, funk - it will be American hybrid music of the highest quality and probably a certain hallelujah atmosphere when the unique Jimetta Rose and the gospel choir Voices of Creation enter the church to end this year's festival with a midnight concert.
Rock and alternatively from the neighborhood of jazz
Energimølla is often the place for the real powerful encounters in jazz's borderlands against rock's diverse and curious underground currents. This year there really are some treats in this landscape. We noticed the warm enthusiasm in the comments section when we announced Thurston Moore's first appearance at Kongsberg Jazz since he was here with Sonic Youth in 2000.
Thursday 4 July:
elephant9
Energy mill, at 23:59.
Excellent Norwegian trio who with this year's new album "Mythical River" continue to explore all kinds of psychedelic and groovy shades of jazz, rock, prog. The energy mill is the perfect setting for this group here. Could become legendary.
FRIDAY JULY 5:
knowing
Energy mill, at 23:59.
Not easy to describe this Los Angeles duo. It's meant as a compliment. But what we can say is that their electronica/funk/pop hybrid quickly becomes an obsession. Angular and crackling at one moment, overwhelmingly melodic at the next – often at the same time.
Saturday 6 July:
Tom Skinner
Energy mill, at 19:00.
The English drummer earned a good name and reputation for his experimental and cool style long before he started the band The Smile with Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.
Thurston Moore Group
Energy mill, at 23:59.
Long-awaited Kongsberg return for the Sonic Youth founder and indie rock icon. While the archives are regularly emptied of the old group, he continues to release music under his own name that continues his completely unique and irresistible guitar tone.
The cream of Norwegian
Not to brag, but we have a very strong Norwegian program this year! This applies to all genres and audience segments, and practically on all stages: From intimate settings with strong names in the Poesioasen at Christians Kjeller to the biggest stage at Kirketorget.
Thursday 4 July:
HORTA: Elias Akselsen / Stian Carstensen / Ola Kvernberg
Kongsberg church, at 17:00.
Awesome project with the multi-talented and often hilarious Stian Carstensen. Here he gets to play out many of his best sides and interests in collaboration with the unique singer Elias Akselsen and perhaps the most versatile fiddle player we have, Ola Kvernberg.
FRIDAY JULY 5:
Poetry oasis: Tønes
Christians Kjeller, at 15:00.
Frank "Tønes" Tønnesen is among our most original artists. Poet, author and songwriter, with songs packed with dark humour, passive-aggressive outcomes and fragile descriptions of everyday life and more or less self-chosen loneliness.
Halvdan Sivertsen
Old Norway, at 17:00.
The popular guitar companion Halvdan Sivertsen is the epitome of the sultry, warm vice singer, although in his young years he also had a bearded, radical side. Perfect afternoon fun in Old Norway. Probably a little extra gentle since Bodø/Glimt makes it sharp during the day.
DumDum Boys and Hellbillies
Kirkettorget, at 19:00.
Strong double burger at Kirketorget this year! Two iconic Norwegian bands with their roots planted in slightly different rock soil – punk and country/southern rock respectively – but both with broad appeal and enormous staying power. Thrust, tradition and flair set in a system, decade after decade, and with huge hits in their respective setlists.
Saturday 6 July:
The poetry oasis: Ingrid Olava
Christians Kjeller, at 15:00.
After a five-year hiatus from recording, Ingrid Olava returned with the album "Blomster og post" last year. She proudly carries on the poetic songwriting skills of Anne Grete Preus and Ole Paus, while at the same time, 15 years after her album debut, she has a very own and unmistakable expression.
Åge Aleksandersen & Sambandet + support: Ida Maria
Kirkettorget, at 19:00.
Åge's farewell tour with his beloved Samband has become one of the most popular concert tickets to get hold of this year. Gamle Norge sold out in no time, so we moved the whole thing to Kirketorget. In this connection, we interviewed Åge about life on the road with Sambandet and what life would be like without it. Ida Maria takes care of the heating in her usual energetic way.
Short journey: Made in Kongsberg
As usual, there are at least a couple of Wallumrød features in an average Kongsberg Jazz programme, which we have placed in a couple of the other categories. But there are even more strong, short-distance concert experiences in this year's festival programme.
Thursday 4 July:
Rita Engedalen
Christians Kjeller, at 20:30.
Kongsberg's own blues queen has her own anniversary this year: It is 30 years since her album debut "Hear My Song". There is a lot of blues in jazz - and vice versa - so it will be great to have a little joint celebration at the intimate Christian's Kjeller.
1624: Tom Hasslan, Håvard Aufles and Axel Skalstad
Private, at 22:00.
They appear almost like a human commissioned work for the whole city with this band name. Still relatively young and up-and-coming, but at the same time well-established Kongsberg jazzers in attractive drive in an intimate setting. Smells like a clear home win.
Saturday 6 July:
Morning jazz: Kongsberg Storband and Anne-Carolyn Schlüter
Old Norway, at 12:00.
Kongsberg Storband is an institution at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival, and in the mezzo-soprano Anne-Carolyn Schlüter, we have yet another proof of the musical resources the city has. We have of course ordered enormous amounts of sunshine for this lunchtime concert in the backyard of Gamle Norge.
Fredrik Høyer & Håvard Aufles: "This long takes 400 years"
Place and time will be announced later.
Poetry and jazz have strong traditions. The poet and writer Fredrik Høyer from Drammen certainly does not mind comparisons with either Jan Erik Vold or his hometown's Triztan Vindtorn. Exciting local master meeting with keyboard magician Håvard Aufles, with a clear city anniversary theme.
The young and promising
One of the coolest things about festivals is discovering artists in the early stages of their careers. All stars have been young and promising once, and imagine what a feeling it is to be able to brag about having seen someone before they were really big. In this category, we have selected both jazz and pop names.
Synne Vo
Thursday 4 July:
ASQ: Amund Stenøien Quartet + Michaël Attias
Energy mill, at 14:00.
Good vibes! Vibraphone is beautiful, and Amund Stenøien is sailing up as a new and exciting instrumentalist in the Norwegian jazz landscape. In addition to the quartet, he has with him the exciting New York saxophonist Michaël Attias.
Cezinando / Lemaitre / Synne Vo
Kirkettorget, at 19:00.
While veterans such as Åge, DumDum and Hellbillies take care of the other evenings at Kirketorget, we are not anxious that Cezinando, Lemaitre and Synne Vo will fill the format on Thursday evening. Strong artistic personalities with power metal that speaks for itself.
Friday, July 5:
Veslemøy Narvesen
Energy mill, at 19:00.
A sparkling young drum star in the jazz sky who creates a hectic sold-out atmosphere ahead of his concerts. There are especially rumors about her skill with the cymbals - a true heir to Jon Christensen. Translated: You should bring this with you!
Tigerstate
Christians Kjeller, at 22:30.
Here is a possible festival highlight: Delicious, mildly electronic and alternately cool and party-tuned fine gourmet pop, played by a bunch of ridiculously talented Oslo people. A band created for summer festival experiences.
Saturday 6 July:
Mona Krogstad: Serenity Now, feat. Kristoffer Lo (commissioned work)
Sølvsalen/Krona, at 17:00.
Last year's winner of the #huninvester grant returns with a commissioned work that is about taking back time, calm and presence. A rare saxophone talent (known from, among others, JUNO), often with a large range, here reinforced with Kristoffer Lo and his machine park. Get to know Mona better and read more about the commissioned work in this interview.
Popular amusements
Kongsberg Jazz Festival should be for everyone. It is the town's and district's annual party. Gamle Norge is the place for intimate folk parties, artists and bands with broad appeal and a happy atmosphere throughout the evening.
Wednesday 3 July:
Kurt Nilsen
Old Norway, at 22:00.
It's been a while since Kurt Nilsen entered the Norwegian music scene as a young plumber and Idol winner. Now he is among our most beloved and established voices in a wide range of expressions, pop, rock, shows, country and KORK.
Thursday 4 July:
Carola
Old Norway, at 22:30.
The year's most glamorous evening at Gamle Norge, with the Swedish icon Carola. She sings the shirt off most people, her phrasing and tone have often come a bit behind the scenes the celebrity Carola, whether she sings "Främling" or pop, soul and gospel.
Friday, July 5:
gåte
Old Norway, at 22:30.
Gåte has a close relationship with the Kongsberg Jazzfestival from their young years as an up-and-coming folk-and-goth band. Few thought at the time that they would one day stand as Norway's chosen Eurovision hope, but that is how it has turned out. Regardless of how it goes in Malmö, it will be Gåte in the backyard at Gamle Norge!
Saturday 6 July:
Shotgun & Blåsemafian
Old Norway, at 22:00.
Hagle from Indre Østfold calls a spade a spade: They are made for parties and fun in the countryside. Their enthralling mix of country and rap is the soundtrack for a kind of eternal Russian time, only wearing overalls from Felleskjøpet. Hard to argue with power metal in the 100-million class.
Peculiar children, many names
Part of Kongsberg Jazzfestival's good name and reputation internationally comes from the fact that we have always had a strong and cutting-edge program in avant-garde and experimental jazz. We cultivate this especially on the Smeltehytta and Energimølla stages. The former even has its own Særingfest. It is also possible to buy a Særing pass for the festival, then you can help yourself to absolutely the entire buffet, with access to all concerts at Smeltehytta, Steinhuset, Galleri Låven and the night concerts at Energimølla.
Thursday 4 July:
ØKSE
Energy mill, at 19:00,
The Danish saxophonist Mette Rasmussen, through her NTNU background, has made it possible for us to see her as part of the younger Norwegian jazz guard. AXE is a fierce project, with bassist Petter Eldh who also plays with Gard Nilssen, as well as American Savannah Harris on drums, and Haitian Val Jeanty - known as the originator of the electronic subgenre voodoo electro!
Special Party: Phil Minton & Veryan Weston
Smeltehytta, at 21:30 p.m.
Improv alert! Vocalist Phil Minton and pianist Veryan Weston. Sometimes album titles are good pointers to what the audience can expect: "Songs From A Prison Diary" and "Mouthfull of Ecstasy".
Friday, July 5:
Special party: Child of Illusion – Fred Moten & Brandon Lopez – Nicole Mitchell – Mayas / Buck / Stackenäs / Zanussi
Smeltehytta, at 19:30 p.m.
Here, there is a lot of talent coming to the stage! The laundry notes refer to Child of Illusion as "chamber improv", Fred Moten & Brandon Lopez as a "unique variant of spoken word and improv jazz" and flutist Nicole Mitchell as a musician with "avant-garde methods". Last year's DNB award winner Per Zanussi also appears in a quartet packed with improvisational power.
Saturday 6 July:
Zanussi 4
Energy mill, at 13:00.
Bassist and DNB award winner Per Zanussi's third and final performance during this year's Kongsberg Jazz Festival is with his own, brand new quartet, with two saxophonists - Fredrik Ljungkvist and Lotte Anker, just in case. Hans Hulbækmo takes care of the drums.
Special Saturday: Wallumrød/Flaten Duo + SPACE
Smeltehytta, at 21:00 p.m.
It is pianist Christian who hides under the, in the context of the Kongsberg Jazz Festival, very telling Wallumrød name. Local all this time in duo format with bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, so in practice a two-thirds reunion of legendary Close Erase. They share the poster for the last special night with the Stockholm trio SPACE.
Go to Kongsberg Jazzfestival's program pages here.
