Oslo Jazzfestival is an annual summer music event featuring 70-90 live concerts at 15 venues throughout the Norwegian capital, from Oslo Concert Hall and Victoria Teater to parks and subway stations. The festival, founded in 1986, spans various jazz styles and attracts about 70,000 spectators.
The Oslo Jazzfestival program consists of established international stars from the USA and Europe, such as Anthony Braxton and Mingus Dynasty, as well as aspiring musicians and Norwegian artists, such as guitarist Eivind Aarset. Previous lineups of the festival featured Pat Metheny, Lakecia Benjamin, Anthony Braxton, Bobo Stenson, Geir Sundstøl, Hanna Paulsberg, Ketil Bjørnstad, Magnus Broo, Nils Petter Molvær, Émile Parisien, Eivind Aarset, Sélène Saint-Aimé, Elisabeth Lid Trøen, Brandee Younger, Jason Moran, Stian Carstensen, and others.
Oslo Jazzfestival, initiated by Aage Teigen, is known for several prestigious music awards. Ella-prisen, or a sculpture of Ella Fitzgerald, is awarded to a person who has developed the festival and the Oslo Jazz Scene, Usbl Jazztalent award is given to young jazz musicians annually. The festival also provides scholarships to musicians under 25. The festival runs Oslo Jazz Ung concerts for families as well as educational workshops, where children learn jazz improvisation and develop their musical abilities.
