We truly have a rich and fantastic program for you in our anniversary year, 2026. After spending more than a year shaping and refining a festival program, you develop a deep affection for every single concert, making it almost impossible to choose just a handful! Still, here are some of my personal recommendations:

First, I of course have to highlight the anniversary concert The Source: of Oslo at the Oslo Opera House, which is guaranteed to be an opening concert unlike any other. I also want to mention our festival artist Brian Blade, who will present a fascinating series of concerts specially curated for Oslo Jazz Festival. These will be exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences!

1017 is the new collaboration between saxophone pioneer Colin Stetson and our own guitar virtuoso Stian Westerhus, backed by the ever-present drummer Erland Dahlen. This high-energy trio is going to set the place on fire. We are incredibly proud to present the trio's first-ever concert in Norway! This will be monumental in the Festival Hall at MUNCH.

Marta Sanchez may be a new name to many. She's an outstanding pianist from the New York jazz scene who will be performing with her own trio in Norway for the very first time. I heard her with David Murray's quartet at the Berlin Jazz Festival last year and was immediately captivated by her energetic playing, which is both compelling and full of surprises, all delivered with remarkable technical mastery. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys adventurous, forward-looking New York jazz!

Jaga Jazzist has been one of Norway's coolest bands for more than 30 years, and they were one of the very first jazz bands I truly fell in love with as a teenager. That's why it's especially exciting to present Jaga, backed by a full symphony orchestra, at Sentrum Scene. It's guaranteed to be a night to remember!

Eyes to the Sun is a free jazz trio of dazzling musicians who will fill the intimate space at Blå Himmel with a uniquely intense musical experience. Argentine-born (now Berlin-based) Camila Nebbia is one of the brightest new stars on the European free jazz scene, joined by none other than pianist Leo Genovese (Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Shorter) and drummer Alfred Vogel (Boomslang Records). Be sure to check out the trio's energetic latest release!

I'd also like to mention that Ellen Andrea Wang will be joined by the Women's Student Choral Society to perform her work Magnificat at Oslo Cathedral. Jazz legend Karin Krog will take the stage at the University Aula, as will Ben Wendel & The Norwegian Wind Ensemble. Saxophone sensation Sarah Hanahan is set to bring the house down at Herr Nilsen, and Natural Information Society is coming all the way from Chicago to give us a mesmerizing and meditative concert experience.

Oslo Jazz Festival truly has something for every jazz lover. We can't wait to celebrate the festival with you!

See you at the festival!

— Line