Nattjazz Festival

Nattjazz (Nightjazz) is one of the major jazz festivals in Northern Europe and is arranged annually in late May / early June in Bergen, Norway. Nattjazz was founded in 1972 and is despite its age now stronger than ever.

Nattjazz swings into action in late May every year, and in the course of 10 nights more than 65 concerts are presented. Since its 1973 début, Nattjazz has brought to Bergen many of the world's greatest artists; from Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, James Brown, Van Morrison, The Band, Pharoah Sanders, Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon and Al di Meola, to St Germain, Diana Krall, Gipsy Kings, Macy Gray, Gotan Project, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Reggie Watts. But Nattjazz is not merely a festival about great names, it's about who we don't know and who we should know. Since its inception, Nattjazz has been committed to getting unusual combinations of musicians playing together, and to exploring the potential of new collaborations. Thus, both Bugge Wesseltoft's New Conception of Jazz and Supersilent were premiered at Nattjazz.

Curiousity is a permanent state for both Nattjazz and it's audience. People see the festival as a chance to find some new favourite artists or experience different types of jazz while wandering the old sardine factory USF Verftet.

Nattjazz is also an opportunity for local audiences to see their own artists in an international context, and the festival carefully selects the most exciting talents from the Bergen rock, jazz and electro scene.

Nattjazz is an essential meeting point for jazz curiousity seekers and professionals who endeavour to keep ajour with the current state of contemporary jazz. In the course of the last 10 years Nattjazz has achieved recognition both nationally and internationally as one of the most important festivals and showrooms for contemporary jazz in Europe. Thanks to a consistent billing and an attractive atmosphere, Nattjazz is happy to recognize the growing interest from national and international media, and is confident that this trend continues in 2015 and in the years to come.

THE VENUE
In 2013 the converted sardine factory at USF Verftet was finally ready to show of its new and state of the art main stage, Røkeriet (The Smokehouse). Our 2012 exile in downtown Bergen was over, and Nattjazz could once again present its unique "all-in-one venue" at the factory, comprising 4 stages in one place. 

RØKERIET (The Smokehouse)
Capacity: 1250 
Bar Service: yes

Completely rebuilt and redesigned in 2013, our main stage Røkeriet represents the very best of what Bergen has to offer music aficionados from around the world. Built solely for the purpose of live music it is the perfect stage for jazz, rock and pop. At Røkeriet the technical and acoustic needs of both big productions and low key solo performances are equally satisfied. Whether you're into the big and famous, avant-garde or the soon-to-be-famous, the main stage is the place to be.

SARDINEN (The Sardine)
Capacity: 400-500
Bar Service: yes

Home to the legendary Bergen Jazzforum jazz club, Sardinen is the perfect setting for jazz of all genres: intimate, round cafè tables, smooth lighting and jazz superstars right in front of you. A stage for that deep jazz feeling - and a glass of red wine. Hold your glass firmly though: hardhitting drummers and explosive saxophones may make the place jump at any time.

STUDIO USF
Capacity: 140, seated
Bar Service: no

Art, improvisation and reflection! Sound good? Then Studio USF is the place for you. A blackbox-like stage where the avant-garde and the experimentalists get to do their thing. The jazz aficionados all say the same: their most profound Nattjazz experiences happened here. For the true listener.

CINEMATEKET
Capacity: 100, seated, amphi
Bar Service: no

Cinemateket makes room for the extraordinary. And the fun. On this stage young talent is set free, veterans let loose. Almost always full. Get there early!

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