DølaJazz – Lillehammer Jazzfestival

DølaJazz – Lillehammer Jazz Festival began its journey in 1978 and has over the years contributed to rich musical experiences, social gatherings, and joy during the dark October days at the northern end of Lake Mjøsa. We may not be the country's largest jazz festival, but we strive to maintain a high-quality program, talent development, and local engagement. To quote Jazz i Norge's reviewer Audun Vinger: "There are many jazz festivals in Norway, and many artists appear repeatedly. Nevertheless, DølaJazz has its own unique style and atmosphere, its audience, and its volunteers."

Talent Development
The Norwegian jazz scene is currently very vibrant, and we contribute through a range of talent development activities. At our JazzIncubator concerts, organized and presented by students, young jazz students perform in front of an audience and the cameras of a professional multi-camera production. Together with the talent award, the talent award concert, and the Jazz Youth seminar, these activities help give young talents the opportunity to showcase themselves and develop.

 Local engagement
The festival aims to entertain and engage, color the city, and give the local population a musical and social vitamin boost when the trees are at their most beautiful, but the evenings are at their darkest. We decorate the city and offer music to all generations through free concerts as well as special kindergarten, secondary school, and cultural walking stick concerts. Hundreds of volunteers are involved in the implementation and create social bonds among themselves.

Sponsors
To make this a festival that participants will rarely forget, we depend on good supporters and partners. Together, we can create a musical and social event that lights up Lillehammer when the trees are at their most beautiful and the evenings are at their darkest.

Anniversary
The festival is constantly evolving. Leading up to the 50th anniversary, which coincides with JazzIncubator's 25th anniversary, the focus is on developing the talent program – by expanding activities and establishing connections with external partners, we aim to an even greater extent to appear as a ‘place to be’ for jazz-interested performers and organizers, jazz lovers, and the general public both in and outside Lillehammer.

Photo: Anne Marit Eide