Back to list
Fredrik Haga – EJN Staff Exchange 2025
Sending EJN member: Trondheim JazzFest (Norway)
Hosting EJN member: Manchester Jazz Festival (United Kingdom)
Dates of the exchange: 7–11 July 2025
Trondheim Jazz Festival has committed to working towards greater equality and diversity in our local community, so it felt natural for me to seek an opportunity to learn more about how festivals address EDI in practice.
Manchester Jazz Festival was an easy choice, as they have carried out groundbreaking work in this area. Together with CEO Steve Mead, we planned discussions on how mjf integrates EDI across all parts of the organisation, including programming, communications, talent development, reporting, and board work.
mjf’s programming process is particularly interesting and perhaps unique. Artists and bands are encouraged to apply by completing an open call form. This approach not only provides the staff with all the necessary information from the outset but also helps to reduce bias in the selection process. All submissions are taken seriously and listened to, regardless of whether the artists are already connected to established jazz networks.
The festival also runs several talent development programmes, aimed not only at young, emerging musicians but also at more experienced artists who are open to exploring new directions in their work.
The Piano Trail programme, developed in collaboration with a local music shop, is another strong initiative to inspire young people to consider a career in music. Refurbished pianos are placed around the city, inviting anyone to play and share videos on social media, making instruments accessible to a wide audience.
It was inspiring to see how EDI is considered across every aspect of the organisation. Creating a gender-balanced and diverse programme requires continuous effort, and mjf’s “show, don’t tell” approach clearly reflects a genuine commitment rather than a performative one. This experience has strengthened my motivation to further develop EDI work at Trondheim Jazz Festival, and I am very much looking forward to sharing these insights with my colleagues.
