The Ella-award 2024 goes to Kari Grete Jacobsen

The Oslo Jazz Festival awards the ELLA prize every year. The award is given to a person who has contributed in a remarkable way to Oslo's jazz environment.

This year's award ceremony took place at the Munch Museum on Wednesday evening ahead of the packed concert with Håkon Kornstad, Oslo Jazz Ensemble and Rohey Taalah: Mid-Atlantic.

The Ella award is a recognition, a thank you, honor and glory. The winner receives a painting by the artist Fredrick Arnøy.

This year's award winner has been a key administrator in Norwegian jazz for over twenty years. She has a burning and infectious commitment to the conditions of jazz, for big and small organisers, musicians and for children and young people. As the steady leader of Østnorsk Jazzsenter for the past 20 years, she is a supporter, promoter, knowledge bank and lobbyist for the local jazz environment in Eastern Norway. She has been an important partner for the Oslo Jazz Festival for many years, both through the professional ensembles Oslo Jazzensemble and Oslo 14, and not least with the many projects for children and young people that she has driven forward.

This year's award winner is always approachable, patient and solution-oriented, she has a friendly smile for everyone and never stops fighting for jazz's conditions.

This year's Ellapris is awarded to Kari Grete Jacobsen from Østnorsk Jazzsenter!

Photo: Ante Petricevic