Jazzintro 2024

Running order Jazzintro finals:
Coincidences
Sondre Moshagen Lightning Trio
Bliss Quintet
Schemes

Schemes is an explosion of energy, disguised as a jazz quartet, based in Trondheim. Their music is unconventional and contrast-filled, featuring intricate and meticulously composed material, often tied together by extended improvised sections. The quartet draws inspiration from both American and European influences, with clear references to classical impressionism and contemporary jazz scenes.
With a strong focus on intense and attentive interplay, their music is presented with openness to all kinds of impulses and musical references, making the whole experience full of extremes and offering an unpredictable journey into the universe of Schemes.

Brede Sørum (Ranheim/Trondheim) – saxophone, Oliver Skou-Due (Denmark) – piano, Bendik Løland Lundsvoll (Gjerdrum) – double bass, Veslemøy Narvesen (Kristiansand) – drums

Lightning Trio is an energetic piano trio that challenges listeners with lyrical melodies, beautiful harmonies, and rhythmic drive. The trio explores a range of styles and expressions through their own compositions, from 80s pop music and intense modal jazz to 20th-century classical art music. Their interplay is characterized by joy of playing and curiosity, allowing for unexpected and creative solutions to emerge in the moment.
The musicians met at the jazz program in Trondheim in the fall of 2022 and are known from bands like PESH, ASQ, and When I Return.

Sondre Moshagen (Vinstra) – piano, Kertu Aer (Estonia) – double bass, Steinar Heide Bø (Trondheim) – drums

In the Oslo-based band Coincidences, randomness is celebrated. Every encounter, coincidence, and near-miss - those moments that make life a little extra special. For a curious but indecisive soul often ends up with a feeling that randomness makes choices that consciousness would never have had the opportunity to make. The band is composed of musicians with quite different musical backgrounds, and together they explore the contrasts between acoustic and electronic, natural and synthetic.
Here, the worlds of jazz, improvisation, electronics, and pop meet in compositions by trumpeter Kristina Fransson. Everything is random, but nothing is random.

Leah Engevold (Gjøvik) - keys and vocals, Georgia Wartel Collins (Sweden) – double bass, Jomar Jeppsson Søvik (Åros, Asker) - drums and electronics, Kristina Fransson (Førde) - trumpet, electronics, and vocals

Playful interaction and energetic presence characterize Bliss Quintet, where dramatic and sentimental ballads, catchy fanfare-like horn riffs, complex rhythms, and open harmonic landscapes are central themes. The band focuses on playful interaction, wild and energetic presence, and elements of free improvisation in line with renowned Nordic bands like Atomic and Masqualero.
In the fall of 2023, Bliss Quintet released the album "Glasshouse" on Jazzland Recordings, and they have been actively touring Europe in recent years with concerts in Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as performing at festivals such as Moldejazz and Jazzahead.

Oscar Andreas Haug (Arendal) - trumpet, Zakarias Meyer Øverli (Oslo) - saxophone, Benjamín Gísli Einarsson (Iceland) - piano, Gard Kronborg (Oslo) - bass, Rino Sivathas (Molde) - drums

This year's jury comprises bassist Ellen Brekken, pianist Dag Arnesen, vocalist Eldbjørg Raknes, and percussionist Jakop Janssønn, with Roy Jahrn Holtan, the head of Norwegian Jazz Forum, serving as jury secretary.

The first round of Jazzintro was held at Bergen Jazzforum on February 22, featuring ASQ // Amund Stenøien Quartet and Schemes. At Stavanger Jazzforum on February 29, Lightning Trio and tuvahalseband competed, while SUPERSPREDER and Coincidences performed at Dokkhuset in Trondheim on March 17. The final preliminary round on April 3 saw Bliss Quintet and Philip Granly Trio performing at the National Jazz Scene in Oslo.

Launch Package with Festival Tour and Mentorship Program
Many of the country's leading jazz musicians have participated in Jazzintro early in their careers. The launch program has become a prestigious platform for showcasing and introducing young professional musicians. Over twenty-five years after its inception, Jazzintro has been relaunched in a somewhat revised format. Several new partners have joined, the preliminary rounds are being held at new venues, and the launch package and tour have new frameworks. Five of the country's largest jazz festivals have been partners since the beginning. Now, the festival collaboration has expanded further with more major festivals, where the Young Jazz Musicians of the Year will be featured during the 2025 festival season.
As before, the Norwegian Jazz Forum will arrange a mentorship program for the Young Jazz Musicians of the Year. This program will be developed in collaboration with the musicians themselves, based on their wishes and needs, and may include meetings with industry professionals for an introduction to life as a professional musician, facilitating networking opportunities, and arrangements for artistic development.

Jazzintro 2024 Partners:
Bergen Jazzforum, National Jazz Scene, Stavanger Jazzforum, Dokkhuset Scene, Moldejazz, Nordlysfestivalen, Bodø Jazz Open, Vossa Jazz, Maijazz, Nattjazz, Kongsberg Jazz Festival, Oslo Jazz Festival, and Sildajazz. Jazzintro is supported by Sparebankstiftelsen DNB.