Tommy Edvardsen Hvidsten is the new chairman of Kongsberg Jazz Festival!

On Saturday 16 November, Kongsberg Jazzfestival's functionary meeting was held, where a new chairman and new representatives for both the program committee and election committee were elected.

We thank outgoing chairman Hans Marius Graasvold for four eventful years, and welcome new chairman Tommy Edvardsen Hvidsten on board!

Tommy is well acquainted with both the city and the festival:

• He is married and lives in Kongsberg, has two adult daughters and loves books and jazz. 

• Trained as an electrician, automation engineer and vocational educator, and now works as head of the Center for Experiential Learning at the Vocational School in Viken. 

• Has extensive experience from the Kongsberg industry, in addition to the vocational school sector. 

• Has been a developer and initiator of the vocational school area, including the mechatronics line, the Industrial School and the Battery School. 

• About to finish a Nordic Ph.d. on adult learning at the Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University Center. 

• Was chairman of the board of EnergiMølla during an important investment period at this central venue for the festival and the city. 

• Has extensive experience from the Kongsberg Jazz Festival through central positions and as a volunteer, no later than now in 2024. 

• Made a solid effort as chairman of KJF for five crucial years (1995-2000) where there was both growth and progress. Several of the long-term sponsorship agreements at the time were concluded under his leadership. 

We also thank deputy representative Øivind Nordal, program committee members Nils Petter Mørland and Marit Stokkenes and election committee members Tore Flesjø and Joar Bølstad for their dedicated efforts for the festival.

Welcome to new deputy representative Ole Marius Hylland, program committee member Henriette Hvidsten Eilertsen and election committee members Kine Kronkvist and Petter Hoen.

We look forward to a lot of fun and good cooperation in the future!

This is the new composition after the annual meeting:

The board of Stiftelsen Kongsberg Jazzfestival:

Tommy Edvardsen Hvidsten (chairman) // Åge Hoffart // Anne Katrine Førli // Luna Lykken Wiik // Trude Eick // Roger Ryberg // Morten Qvenild // Jenny Ulleland (alternate) // Ole Marius Hylland (alternate)

Program Committee: Lars Ljosland (chairman) // Ståle Liavik Solberg // Henriette Eilertsen // Luna Lykken Wiik (board representative)

Election Committee:  Erika Fonsdal // Petter Hoen // Kine Kronkvist