Jon Kristian Johnsen wins the Ella award

August 13th, 2025:

Each year, the Oslo Jazz Festival give away the Ella award. The award is given to a person who has made a remarkable contribution to Oslo’s jazz scene. This year’s award ceremony took place at the National Jazz Scene on Tuesday evening, ahead of the concert with Anna Ueland: Popular Music for the Like-Minded.

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

This year, the Oslo Jazz Festival has chosen to award the Ella award to a passionate driving force in Oslo’s jazz community.

This year’s award winner is a true music lover who is passionate about the narrow branches of the jazz tree. His motto is reportedly: “When you can’t hum along or tap your foot, THAT’s when it’s good music!” This year’s winner is particularly focused on highlighting the new generation of jazz musicians. As chairman and booking manager of Kampenjazz for many years, he has made the club a central stage for emerging musicians. For him, the intimate concert experiences and the more niche music bring the greatest joy.

He has also been a key volunteer with the Oslo Jazz Festival for many years. You’ll often see him at concerts here at the National Jazz Scene, usually seated at his regular table up by the mixing desk. The Oslo Jazz Festival wants to thank him for his dedication and enthusiasm for jazz — as an organizer, volunteer, and concertgoer.

This year’s Ella award goes to JON KRISTIAN JOHNSEN from Kampenjazz!

From left: Line Juul, Festival Director of Oslo Jazz Festival; Svein Skarheim, Chairman of Oslo Jazz Festival; and award winner Jon Kristian Johnsen. Photo: Anna Rogneby.