Day 2 & Day 3

Day 2 - The calm before the storm

Today was the first festival meeting of the week. After some introductions it was down to business. There is a big task ahead and we're a small team but everything is covered.
 
Familiar topics were discussed: late changes to the programme, parking requirements, artist get in, sounchecks, marquee set up, festival branding, riders and transport logistics.

We talked about a last minute addition to the programme. There has been some debate in the local newspaper around traditional vs contemporary arts. A local property developer had written a piece about artists not communicating their work with each other. In an attempt to encourage the debate further and to gain some press coverage, the festival has enlisted the help of three local jazz artists to perform a short lunchtime concert at the office of the property developer, a concert of traditional and contemporary jazz music. It will be the unofficial opening on the festival!
 

Photography credit: Arve Hague 2017
Ulfs Vinbar is a new addition to the festival – a wine bar next to Dokkhuset (one of the main venues) run by local wine expert, Ulf Dalheim. A different wine will be served everyday, reflecting the type of music being played that night. The idea is to attract a new customer to jazz.
As well as a shared passion for jazz music it is clear that we are connected by the same challenges – how can we grow our audience, reach a younger demographic, gain press coverage...


Day 3 - Opening Night

After a quick team meeting it was over to the property developers to ‘launch’ the festival. It was well received. I think the stunt proved that jazz artists old and new can work together and communicate their art. Success!
 
The VIP reception was held at the Scandic Nivelden hotel – local politicians, Board members, sponsors, guests from other jazz festivals and venues were invited. It was great to meet them and to swap stories about our respective venues and festivals. I was lucky to be sat next to the Director of the Stormen Konserthus in Boda, my next destination after the festival, and have arranged a visit to the venue and concert next week :-)
 
 
Photography credit: Arve Hague 2017
The opening concert by Terje Nilsen at Olavshallen was something special. An exclusive for the festival, this was a rare chance to see the Norwegian singer/songwriter who has been away from the limelight for several years and doesn’t like to travel.  The second concert of the night took place at Bas Moskus – I was too late to catch this but the cosy bar will be the venue for a performance by Lab Trio tomorrow, a familiar name on Tyneside.
Trondheim JazzFest has begun!
https://www.jazzfest.no/
 

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