Jazzintro 2026

Eight young, promising bands have been selected to take part in Jazzintro 2026. Throughout the winter and spring, they will perform at some of the country’s leading jazz clubs, and during Moldejazz in July, one of the bands will be named Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2026. The title comes with an extensive festival tour and a tailored mentoring program.

Over the next six months, the eight bands will showcase their music through Jazzintro, a prestigious platform for presenting and introducing young professional musicians. For artists at the beginning of their professional careers, the opportunity to meet and perform for audiences and industry representatives across the country is invaluable. Many of Norway’s leading jazz musicians have taken part in Jazzintro early in their careers.

The first round of Jazzintro takes place at Stavanger Jazzforum on February 11, featuring Unmothered and Ingeborg Sollid Kvartett. At Inderøy Jazzforum on March 12, Wilhelm III meets Spekkhogger, while Madmax and Sakte, fallende perform at Bergen Jazzforum on March 18. The final preliminary round takes place with Idiotek and Blister Pearl at Ad Lib Jazzklubb in Bodø on April 8. The jury—made up of prominent Norwegian jazz musicians—will send one band from each round to the final during Moldejazz. The band crowned Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2026 in Molde will, in addition to the title, receive a festival tour and a tailored mentoring program.

In 2026, the jury consists of saxophonist Signe Emmeluth, bassist Ola Høyer, trumpeter Didrik Ingvaldsen, and drummer Siv Øyunn Kjenstad. Bendik Kjørholt, Head of Professional Affairs at Norsk jazzforum, serves as jury secretary.

Launch package with festival tour and mentoring program

Since its launch in 1998, Jazzintro has been a prestigious showcase and introduction platform for young professional musicians. Many of today’s leading jazz artists participated early in their careers, including Mathias Eick, Anja Lauvdal, Gard Nilssen, Marius Neset, Hanna Paulsberg, Eyolf Dale, André Roligheten, Morten Qvenild, Veslemøy Narvesen, and Liv Andrea Hauge.

The four preliminary rounds of Jazzintro take place during the winter and spring at some of the country’s most important club stages. One band from each round advances to the final at Moldejazz in July. The band named Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2026 will, in addition to the title, receive a festival tour and a tailored mentoring program.

Jazzintro is organized by Norsk jazzforum in collaboration with some of the country’s leading jazz clubs and festivals. As Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2026, the winning band will embark on a major festival tour in 2027. Norsk jazzforum will also provide a mentoring package, developed in collaboration with the musicians themselves according to their wishes and needs. This may include meetings with relevant industry professionals as an introduction to life as a professional musician, facilitated networking opportunities, and programs for artistic development.

Stay updated on which bands advance to the final in Molde, information about the participants, and more on Jazzintros Facebook page