Get ready to experience nine days of spectacular musical entertainment at Bergen International Jazz Festival, or Nattjazz for short. Featuring a curated lineup of outstanding ethnic and contemporary jazz music from around the world, this iconic event is held annually in late May alongside Festspillene i Bergen at USF Verftet. Mark your calendars now as Nattjazz returns on May 26th through June 3rd, 2023!
The inaugural Nattjazz festival was held in 1972 at Håndverkeren, which has since closed. After the move to Studentsenteret in 1978 (now demolished and rebuilt), it finally found a permanent home in 1994 at USF Verftet.
The musical range is vast, ranging from classic jazz to world music. Modern jazz involves elements of various genres, such as electronica, rock, and folk, while still staying true to its distinctive style. Regarding traditional jazz influences, you can expect exciting variations like bebop and hard bop alongside funk and even Norwegian-European free jazz!
The festival provides an array of experiences with both indoor and outdoor concerts. Collaboration with events such as Festspillene i Bergen in Grieghallen has allowed the festival's reach to expand even further. Admittance grants guests access to four stages within USF Verftet, some seating while others are more accommodating for standing visitors. To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable event, internal channels have been established so that attendees can relax while observing what is happening at each stage simultaneously.