The officials – the gold of the festival!

Social and good environment, lots of good music and because it's fun, are key words when the volunteers are asked why they get involved with the jazz festival.

Each year, over 600 volunteers are on hand both before and during the Kongsberg Jazz Festival to provide the audience with great musical experiences and festival fun.

Read what 3 group leaders answer to 3 questions about what they like best about their tasks.

1. Why did you get involved in the festival?
2. What do you like best about working as a volunteer?
3. What is your greatest concert experience or best festival memory, and what do you think will be the greatest concert experience at this year's jazz festival?

Johanne Nesmann, one of two group leaders for KAOS

Responsible for the practical implementation of all concerts and events. This year's festival is her 11th.

1. I first got involved because of the music and because others in the family were involved as volunteers. Now I join because of the good environment, it is very social, I meet many exciting people, and it is educational.
2. To hear a lot of good music and to be allowed to help organize such a big festival.
3. I have many good memories, but I especially remember the meeting with Jamie Cullum in 2005 and the Flom festival in 2007. At this year's festival, I think there will be many good concert experiences, but I think that the Cinema Concerts will be particularly memorable since this is the last year of concerts there.

Ingvild Støa Skrede, group leader for the media group

Responsible for the press centre, the festival photographers, and runs social media, web, information screens etc. during the festival.

1. I have been to the jazz festival as long as I have lived in Kongsberg, and after a few years as an avid concertgoer I joined the media group as a volunteer.
2. That there are so many wonderful people who help make this possible.
3. The festival memories are many, but for me I will probably never forget the Saturday during the festival last year. It was the afternoon before the Stevie Wonder concert. The press center was full of journalists and photographers waiting for the go-ahead to shoot or not. The mobile rang in one set and I sat in a small warm tent and scouted for the star and his management. When I finally got to meet press manager LaTanya Marble and made an agreement about photography at the Kirketorg concert, I was reasonably happy. And easily cooked... At this year's festival, I'm especially looking forward to Morten Qvenild's new solo project "HyPer(sonal) Piano" at Energimølla on Saturday evening.

Ingvild Løchen, group memberOaths of Service

Responsible for ensuring that musicians/managers/technicians get what they need in terms of food/drink, wardrobe, hotel accommodation etc. and that they arrive at the right time and in the right place. This year's festival is her 19th.

1. I originally joined because I liked jazz and because I think it's fun.
2. Meeting other like-minded people, ad-hoc working and the music.
3. There are many good festival experiences, but the drive from Gardermoen together with Diana Krall and the trip in the mines, with Ornette Coleman's closest are two highlights! This year it is so many good concerts, and I'm especially looking forward to the Brad Mehldau Trio, I have to bring it along. But also the Poesioasen with Bjørn Sundquist and Jan Gunnar Hoff is just beautiful, Paus and Bjørnstad for dinner - we also have Røyksopp then.

Text: Inger Johanne Midtgarden