Sondre Moshagen Lightning Trio won the Jazzintro final at Molde International Jazz Festival in July. “Compositions of high caliber with a lot of rhythmic authority, and with melodic and harmonic ideas that give the trio a distinctive identity,” states the jury.
It turned out to be a thrilling afternoon at Molde Jazz Festival as the four bands Bliss Quintet, Schemes, Coincidences, and Sondre Moshagen Lightning Trio competed in the Jazzintro final.
– Our job today has not been easy. We’ve listened to fantastic music from all four bands. The future of Norwegian jazz is very bright, says musician Ellen Brekken on behalf of the jury.
In the end, it was the Sondre Moshagen Lightning Trio who got awarded Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2024. With the title, the trio, consisting of Sondre Moshagen on piano, Kertu Aer on double bass, and Steinar Heide Bø on drums, receives a prize from Norwegian Jazz Forum (Norsk jazzforum) that includes a festival tour in Norway in 2025 and a mentoring program.
– The award means a lot for me and the band. We have practiced a lot this year and formed the music, put a lot of time and effort into the trio. The other bands played very well in the finals, so we were very surprised when we won. We are looking forward to playing a lot of concerts in the future, says bass player Kertu Aer.
Sondre Moshagen (piano), Steinar Heide Bø (drums) and Kertu Aer (bass). Photo: Thor Egil Leirtrø / Moldejazz
In 2024, the jury consisted of musicians Ellen Brekken, Dag Arnesen, Eldbjørg Raknes, and Jakop Janssønn, in addition to Roy Jahrn Holtan, Head of Programs at Norwegian Jazz Forum, as the jury secretary.
The jury says the following about the Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2024:
The Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2024 have an explicit and fine chemistry in the band and are strong individual voices with finesse and maturity. The compositions are of high caliber, with a lot of rhythmic authority that creates large musical spaces. Their melodic and harmonic ideas give them a distinctive identity that creates beautiful moments. The confidence and presence in the band rub off on the audience and make you curious to hear more. The Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2024 are Sondre Moshagen Lightning Trio.
Launch program for young professional jazz musicians
Jazzintro is a prestigious showcase and introduction arena for young, professional musicians. Many of the Norways most recognized jazz musicians have participated in Jazzintro early in their careers, such as Mathias Eick, Anja Lauvdal, Gard Nilssen, Marius Neset, Hanna Paulsberg, and Morten Qvenild. Previous winners include Monkey Plot, Albatrosh, Puma, In the Country, Megalodon Collective, and Kongle Trio. There was a record number of applications for Jazzintro 2024, nearly double from previous years, and among hundred bands, eight were selected to participate. After initial rounds in Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, and Oslo, four bands advanced to the final at Moldejazz, where one was awarded Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2024.
The launch of the Young Jazz Musicians of the Year 2024 is in collaboration with Sparebankstiftelsen DNB and Talent Norge. The band will get an extended festival tour in Norway in 2025 and a tailored mentoring program designed in collaboration with the musicians themselves. The mentoring program is set up according to the musicians’ own wishes and needs, and can include, among other things, meetings with industry players for an introduction to life as a professional musician, arranging meeting places and networking as well as plans for artistic development.
Jazzintro 2024 Partners:
Bergen Jazzforum, Nasjonal jazzscene, Stavanger Jazzforum, Dokkhuset Scene, Moldejazz, Nordlysfestivalen, Bodø Jazz Open, Vossa Jazz, Maijazz, Nattjazz, Kongsberg Jazzfestival, Oslo Jazzfestival, and Sildajazz. Jazzintro is supported by Sparebankstiftelsen DNB and Talent Norge.
