EJN Staff Exchange Programme

Sending EJN member: Unterfahrt Jazzclub (Germany)
Hosting EJN member: Victoria/Nasjonal Jazzscene (Norway)
Dates of the exchange: 6–14 September 2025

Arriving in Oslo for my staff exchange with Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene, I expected something very different: a new country, a new venue, a new team, and new ways of working. Yet already on my first evening, when Øyvind (Director) and Henrik (Communications) welcomed me at a concert by Norwegian violinist Harpreet Bansal, it felt surprisingly familiar rather than foreign. This feeling grew stronger over the following days at the Victoria office.

The more deeply I engaged with their programming, funding structures, working methods, and challenges, the more astonished I became: Victoria and Unterfahrt have a great deal in common. My initial ambition to learn from different approaches shifted, particularly after an in-depth one-on-one meeting with Henrik, where we reviewed marketing and PR activities in detail. Beyond minor nuances, our practices aligned almost completely.

With this realisation, my focus moved towards broader questions. Between lively political debates during election week, lunch-break quizzes on Norwegian general knowledge, a studio tour with drummer Gard Nilssen — whose rehearsal room proudly displays Unterfahrt beer coasters on the door — and discussions with fellow jazz colleagues about whether “jazz” should be renamed “Black Classical Music”, two key questions guided me: how can venues with largely middle-aged core audiences also reach younger jazz listeners? And how can abstract avant-garde jazz, a niche within a niche, expand its audience?

David from Oslo Jazz Festival shared their approach to the first question: giving young people space on stage through talent competitions and winner concerts, providing channels for expression via platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, and creating a “third place” where they can connect with peers. Central to this approach is the close connection between communication and programming. Regarding the second question, Malwina and Anne from the no earplugs agency offered a simple but powerful response: “There’s always an audience, you just need to find it,” which became a starting point for further discussion.

In conclusion, while searching for differences, I discovered how much we share. This felt particularly meaningful in today’s politically challenging times. What makes the jazz field so special to me is the shared passion and dedication to the music, something that feels almost tangible. This exchange was a deeply enriching experience, and I am very grateful to Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene for their warm welcome and to EJN for making it possible.