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ST E B in ’S LS M Y A A W TI V R S NO FE iT
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Top notch performances at Moldejazz. Photo: Dagfinn Reppen/Moldejazz
A world-class jazz experience Back in 1961, when it all started, there was no reason - really none whatsoever - to believe that little Molde could become the home of an internationally recognised jazz festival. Yet it did, and now, more than sixty years after, the beats still sound in the small Norwegian town.
of the festival, who were bent on having international stars come to Molde. “Already during the first edition, big names came all the way to Molde to perform”, says Volden.
By Eva-Kristin U. Pedersen
The idea for Moldejazz - or more formally Molde International Jazz Festival stemmed from four local youths, all jazz enthusiasts and members of a local jazz club. “What if we organise an international jazz festival here in Molde?” they said, and with a mix of ingenuity and determination, went on to create one of the biggest adventures of Norwegian music altogether. 50
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Issue 163
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February 2024
Endre Volden, the general manager of Moldejazz, smiles as he tells the intriguing story of how one of Europe’s most famous jazz festivals came to be. Big names from the start From outside of Norway, Molde is not straightforward to get to even today, but in the sixties, it was straight up difficult. That, however, did not deter the founders
And they kept coming. Over the years, some of the biggest names in international jazz have performed in Molde, including Chick Corea, B.B. King, Missy Elliot, Eric Clapton, Miles Davies, Herbie Hancock, Lauryn Hill, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Melody Gardot, Esperanza Spalding and many, many others. The success was a surprise to everyone, and perhaps most of all to Norwegians,