The story♥

Kongsberg Jazzfestival was started by a few jazz enthusiasts in 1965, but already from autumn 1964 "Jazz Evidence" organized a jazz weekend. In addition to the festival program itself, the festival (almost) every year has organized a workshop for young jazz musicians. Many of the participants here have later returned as established performers (e.g. Nils Petter Molvær!)

From 1965-1991, the festival had a board consisting of the festival manager, the finance manager and the group leaders. All of these were civil servants. The annual meeting was the festival's highest authority and the festival was run as an idealistic organisation. In 1991, the festival experienced a lasting downturn. Something had to be done, and they chose to turn the festival into a foundation with personal investors. This proved to be very successful.

Today, the festival appears as a viable institution and is one of Norway's most important, and Buskerud's largest cultural events, with up to 30 visitors and more than 000 volunteers. We present world-class Norwegian and international stars, from the breakthrough to established heavyweights. During the festival, the whole of Kongsberg is on its head, with a bustling crowd from the festival area Kirketorget and around to all the city's nightclubs. Kongsberg Jazzfestival offers several side programmes, such as Barnival for the little ones and Jazzfilm at Kongsberg cinema.

In 2024, the festival celebrates 60 years and the city of Kongsberg 400, an anniversary celebration we will soon forget! But first the focus is on the 2023 festival! Kongsberg Jazz Festival - always in week 27!