Marius Neset Announced as Artist in Residence for Moldejazz 2027

Over the past fifteen years, Marius Neset has established himself as one of Europe's most distinctive and original jazz musicians. With an uncompromising artistic vision, formidable technique and a musical language that draws on jazz, classical music and improvisation, he has carved out a unique position both in Norway and internationally. As American jazz critic Brian Morton wrote in DownBeat: "He's not the future of European jazz, he's the present."

For Moldejazz, the appointment also marks the continuation of a long-standing and close artistic relationship.

One of the defining moments in the festival's recent history came in 2012, when Marius Neset premiered the commissioned work Lion with the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. The concert was widely hailed as one of the highlights in the festival's history. Dagsavisen described it as "the greatest concert ever" at Moldejazz, while both Adresseavisen and Jazznytt praised the work as an artistic breakthrough of international significance.

Since then, Neset has continued to expand his artistic universe. He has written major works for ensembles including the London Sinfonietta, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), and the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. His album Geyser was named one of the world's finest jazz albums of 2023 by The Guardian, and in recent years he has also received widespread acclaim for his collaborations with Leif Ove Andsnes and his recordings for the ACT label.

Neset's popularity is equally strong at home. When he appeared at Storyville Jazz Club in Molde earlier this year, the concert was met with an enthusiastic audience. The club summed up the evening simply: "What an incredible concert!" — a response that underlines the strong bond between Marius Neset and Molde's jazz audience.

As Artist in Residence, Marius Neset will leave a distinctive mark on Moldejazz 2027 through several concerts and specially commissioned projects. Audiences can look forward to new commissions, encounters between different musical worlds, and collaborations with both Norwegian and international musicians, all centred around Neset's singular artistic vision.

"Marius Neset is an artist who constantly challenges both himself and his audience. He combines boundless curiosity with a rare ability to create music that is both surprising and deeply moving. For many years he has been one of the foremost ambassadors for Norwegian jazz on the international stage, while maintaining a strong connection with Moldejazz. It is therefore a great pleasure to welcome him back — this time as our Artist in Residence for 2027," says Artistic Director Magnus Lunay.

Through its Artist in Residence programme, Moldejazz has provided some of the most significant musicians of our time with the opportunity to develop ambitious projects that could only emerge through the unique meeting of artist, festival and city. With Marius Neset, the festival continues this tradition with an artist whose work both reflects the present and points confidently towards the future.