My first day in Trondheim

I’m at Trondheim Jazz Festival this week for 10 days of festival fun. Fresh from Gateshead International Jazz Festival last month and as part of Europe Jazz Network’s staff exchange programme, I’m here to compare notes, share (and steal) ideas and make some new jazz friends along the way.

The festival welcomes local, national and international artists to multiple venues across the city. There are events taking place from Tuesday 9 to Sunday 14 May but my first day in Trondheim was yesterday, Sunday 7 May.  My host and JazzFest CEO Ernst Wiggo Sandbakk greeted me at the airport, festival brochure in hand! 

 
After checking into my hotel, the Scandic Nidelven (an official partner of the festival), we discussed our plan for the week, who I can expect to meet (the Board, the planning group, press and sponsor), and where I might be able to help out on the festival. We also talked about some of the festival highlights which include a rare performance by Norway’s Terje Nilsen, GRAMMY award-winning Malian Wassoulou musician Oumou Sangare, and Squarepusher’s Shobaleader One – one of the highlights at this year’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival.


 
After a bite to eat at NordØst Restaurant and Bar with Ernst, his wife, and festival coordinator Merete, we watched a gig by local singer/songwriter Vebjørn Mamen at Antikvariat, a cosy bar filled with books and beer next to the old town bridge. More to come from him later at the festival!
It is clear that we are connected by a passion for promoting a programme of high quality jazz artists to satisfy all musical tastes and I’m excited to immerse myself in what looks like a great festival line-up and a very welcoming Norwegian culture.
https://www.jazzfest.no



Location: Trondheim, Norway

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