Thomas in the tower

At the top of the tower at the church, a separate network is set up for the festival, which requires climbing equipment and safety. It tickles the stomach both because it is airy, but also because for us it is the symbol that the festival will start very soon, says Thomas.

Thomas is originally from Tønsberg, but came to Kongsberg to study computer science at the college, where he found both his love for his wife Mette and jazz. I started as a clerk in 2008, I was easily persuaded by my study mates Fredrik, Roy and Tor Inge, who had been clerks for a number of years already. Since then, giving up has never been an option for any of us. For me, only my own funeral can keep me away, smiles Thomas. Now this has become part of life for us as a family. My boys, Hans aged 8 and Lars 11, are children of the festival, they have been involved since they were in the pram and Mette is involved in the sponsor group.

In between, unexpected things happen that require a little extra adrenaline, recalls Thomas. The year was 2014 and Stevie Wonder was on stage at Kirketorget and at the same time I was lying on my knees under the bar at Naustet (now the Jazzbox). Beer was tapped so it splashed over my head and I searched desperately for cable faults, says Thomas. The tills went to reserve solution, the beer queue grew and there was half an hour left of the concert at Kirketorget. Soon 10 were to walk through the city. Fortunately, we were able to locate the fault in time, but I think I may have shortened my life by a couple of years that night, smiles Thomas. We in the ICT group are known for a good atmosphere, but that night there was a little extra celebration, he smiles.

Thomas is not only ICT for the festival, but he is also passionate about good beer and has been brewing according to his own recipe for more than 11 years. Now one of his recipes will become a separate jazz beer, which will be in the tap towers both at Kirketorget and Jazzboksen.