Music award to Anja Lauvdal

Musician and composer Anja Lauvdal has been awarded the Kongsberg Jazz Festival's musician prize for 2021. The prize of NOK 200.000 was awarded during the jazz festival's opening concert, and is awarded to musicians who have made a strong mark on the Norwegian jazz scene.

- Anja Lauvdal knows her craft and within a few years has established herself as a vital powerhouse in Norwegian jazz life, a skilled musician, says Tor Dalaker Lund in the jury, and continues - But that is not enough. She has put a personal stamp on her musical expression and really stands out in the musical landscape. Anja has shown initiative and a desire to create something new, create her own projects and carry out musical development work.

Anja Lauvdal graduated from the renowned "Jazzlinja" at NTNU in Trondheim. She plays piano, organ and various synths, composes, arranges and is a band leader. Anja has a very open-minded approach to creating music and can move from experimental improv contexts via more pop-inspired expressions to expressive free jazz. Her obvious musical curiosity and impressive creativity have found expression in a number of interesting bands and collaborative constellations - such as Skrap, Muskus, Skadedyr, Broen, the tribute to Joni Mitchell - and many more. Anja Lauvdal has already delivered commissioned works to several Norwegian festivals, received several awards and in 2020 was appointed NTNU ambassador.

Not a price for long and faithful service

- The festival's musician award is not an award given for long and faithful service, says festival manager Ragnhild Menes, and continues. The award has a double intention – both to recognize the musical effort up to now, and to give the award winner a stimulating boost going forward. With Anja Lauvdal as prize winner, we are already looking forward and looking forward to inspiring concerts at next year's jazz festival.

Photo: Kongsbergjazz/Tommy Johansen