Welcome to the 37th Trondheim Jazz Festival 6th-10th May 2025.
Over a span of five days on stages all across Trondheim, you can experience a mix of young, up and coming artists along with some of the biggest stars from the Norwegian and internasjonal jazz scene. Jazzfest offers a varied and exciting program with brand new commissions, several in-house productions and exciting new artists who have never performed in Trondheim before.
This festival is the last festival led by current director Ernst Wiggo Sandbakk. He’s been a part of the festival’s start in 1994, and have been managing since 2004. Over these years, Jazzfest has become one of the most vital jazz festivals in Norway, as a yearly manifestation for the unique jazz scene in Trondheim.
What have been important for you while developing the festival, Ernst Wiggo?
«It’s been so much, but most of all the joy of continuing to build on a solid base of a soon 100-year old tradition of jazz in Trondheim, to be a source of inspiration and an extention of an incredible music scene, with a lot built around the university’s jazz department. It should also be mentioned that a lot of the regions talents have had their artistic work stimulated through concerts, in-house productions and commissions.»
Are you completely done with the festival?
«As artistic manager, yes. But I will still be available for anyone who are looking for advice, and I’m more than happy to contribute the festivals grand network locally, nationally and internationally. I will also contribute to prepare Artistic Exchange Platform 2026, an annual meeting in Europe Jazz Network, where Trondheim Jazzfestival will be host for a conference with 40 international delegates.
Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, one of the most central and creative jazz ensembles in Norway, celebrate 25 years with an anniversary concert during the festival. Since Trondheim Jazz Orchestra was established in year 2000, the orchestra has had a great number of exciting projects with international profiles such as Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, New York Voices and Joshua Redman, along with a lot of Norwegian jazz profiles.
You can also experience exciting commissions from Siril Malmedal Hauge and Tora Dahle Aagård.
“Tora Dahle Aagård can be described as an artistic firework, known for her unique talent, virtuosity, energy and playful musicality. She will present brand new, exciting material which will feel real, sore and intense, yet forceful and wild. That describes Tora when given no limits.”
The festival offers several of Europe’s most exciting new bands, such as Antonio Lizana Quintet, Shake Stew and Anna Anderluh Trio, but also the brand new Aileron, consisting of some of Norway’s greatest jazz musicians along with the London-based astonishing talent Emma Rawicz. You will also sew international stars such as Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter, Amadou & Mariam, and two of the biggest Norwegian international jazz exports Marius Neset and Daniel Herskedal.
What makes Trondheim Jazz Festival different from other festivals is the strong focus on youth artists and a young audience. This is manifested through the project JOYN-IN, Jazzfest’s commitment towards inclusion and diversity, which give new generations an introduction to the fantastic world of jazz.
Welcome, and see you in Trondheim!
Best regards
Ernst Wiggo Sandbakk
General Manager
