Norway is partner country at jazzahead! 2019

jazzahead! is partnering up with Music Norway, Norsk jazzforum, the Norwegian Embassy and NORLA to present the country's contemporary jazz scene over a span of several days. Below, you find a list of all Norwegian acts playing this year's jazzahead! trade fair and festival. A proud number of 120 musicians, who make up 26 bands, will be travelling to Bremen to showcase Norwegian jazz in all its facets.

Thu | 25.04. | Official Opening Ceremony of the 14th jazzahead! with Karin Krog & John Surman

Thu | 25.04. | Norwegian Night
19:30 | Thomas Strønen’s Time is a Blind Guide @ Halle 7.1
20:10 | Karl Seglem Band @ Schlachthof
20:50 | Gard Nilssen ́s Acoustic Unity @ Halle 7.2
21:30 | Skadedyr @ Schlachthof 22:10 | Frode Haltli Avant Folk @ Halle 7.1
22:50 | Kristin Asbjørnsen @ Schlachthof
23:30 | Espen Berg Trio @ Halle 7.2
00:10 | Hedvig Mollestad Trio @ Schlachthof

Thomas Strønen’s Time is a Blind Guide
A chamber music ensemble performing compelling compositions, which draw lines from traditional folk to contemporary music.

Karl Seglem Band
Seglem reinvigorates jazz and traditional genres with his unswerving will to fuse expressions, pursue crossover ventures and embrace new instruments, sounds and perspectives.

Gard Nilssen ́s Acoustic Unity
One of the most sought-after Norwegian jazz drummer. With the Acoustic Unity, he's joined by saxophonist André Roligheten and Ole Morten Vågan on bass.

Skadedyr
A twelve-piece orchestra uniting young and innovative musicians from the Norwegian jazz, improv and experimental rock/pop scene. Collective arrangements and fredoom for improvisation.

Frode Haltli Avant Folk
All-star cast of musicians spanning all ages, generations and genres, brought together by the exceptional accordion player Frode Haltli. Swift moves between jazz, contemporary and folk music.

Kristin Asbjørnsen
Inspired by Gospel music, she is one of the most distinguished European vocalists, who has received overwhelming response for her latest album inhibiting influences from West-Africa.

Espen Berg Trio
Winner of Norway’s prestigious music award “JazZtipendiatet” in 2016 and «a true master of the piano» according to All About Jazz. A combination of melodic and rhythmically complex music.

Hedvig Mollestad Trio
An explosive and expansive trio who has already shared big stages with the likes of John McLaughlin and Black Sabbath, being equally popular and comfortable in jazz and rock clubs.
         
DJ Strangefruit
Paul "Strangefruit" Nyhus is undoubtly a legend, who has helped form the unique sound of Northern electronic music through collaborations with jazz explorers such as Bugge Wesseltoft and Nils Petter Molvær.

Norwegian Late Night Party
23:59 | Norwegian Late Night Party w/ DJ Strangefruit @ Magazinkeller


Fri | 26.04.2019 | Gala Concert
20:00 | Mathias Eick Quintet & Trail of Souls

Mathias Eick Quintet
Eick has played in the cult band Jaga Jazzist (to name one) and has released four albums on ECM Records. As a composer, he lets compelling rhythms develop, while allowing the listener to savour melodic depth and sensitivity

Trail of Souls w/ Sloveig Slettahjell, Knut Reiersrud, In the Country
One of Norway’s leading jazz vocalists has seen great success with the Trail of Souls project. The cooperation began with a concert at the Berlin Philharmonic 2014 and produced the renowned album Trail of Souls on the German label ACT.
   
Sat | 27.04. | jazzahead! CLUBNIGHT
Open-Air at Domshof

17:45 | Beady Belle
18:45 | Beady Belle
20:15 | Susanna (solo) | 3 sets (20:15/21:00/21:45) @ Stiftung Haus Kränholm
20:30 | Erlend Apneseth Trio @ Schwankhalle
21:30 | SANGAM (ECM 50 years) @ Sendesaal
22:00 | Stephan Meidell @ Schwankhalle
22:00 & 23:00 (2 sets) | Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen @ Schnoor Eleven
23:00 | Mats Eilertsen Trio (ECM 50 years) @ Sendesaal

Sun | 28.04. | Nordic at Noon
13:00 | Paal Nilssen Love Large Unit @ Schlachthof

Paal Nilssen Love Large Unit
An ensemble consisting of young Nordic musicians sharing the stage with one of Norway's most active and renowned drummers, known from bands such as The Thing.