The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 2016 in

Norwegian music Much has been learned about early music in Norway from physical artifacts found during archaeological digs. These include instruments such as the lur. Viking and medieval sagas also describe musical activity, as do the accounts of priests and ...

Events

January

* 21 – Ice Music Festival started in

Geilo Geilo () is a centre in the municipality of Hol, Norway, Hol in Buskerud, Buskerud county, Norway. Geilo is primarily a ski resort town, with around 2,500 inhabitants. It is situated in the valley of Hallingdal, 250 km from Oslo and 260 ...

(January 21–24). * 27 – Bodø Jazz Open started in Bodø (January 27–30). * 29 – Nordlysfestivalen started in

Tromsø Tromsø is a List of towns and cities in Norway, city in Tromsø Municipality in Troms county, Norway. The city is the administrative centre of the municipality as well as the administrative centre of Troms county. The city is located on the is ...

(January 29 – February 7).

February

* 4 ** The Polarjazz Festival 2016 started in

Longyearbyen Longyearbyen (, , "Longyear Town") is the world's northernmost settlements, northernmost settlement with a population greater than 1,000, and the capital and the largest inhabited area of Svalbard. It stretches along the foot of the left bank ( ...

(February 4–7). ** Kristiansund Opera Festival opened (February 4–20). * 5 –

Knut Kristiansen Knut Johan Bratland Kristiansen (born 14 April 1946) is a Norwegian composer and jazz musician (piano), known from Bergen jazz life primarily for his many interpretations of the music of Thelonious Monk as orchestra leader his own bands with va ...

and Bergen Big Band's release concert for the album ''Kuria Suite'' at Verftet in Bergen. * 7 – Oslo Operaball was arranged in

Oslo Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022 ...

(February 7). * 16 – Andreas Loven's release concert for the album ''District Six'' (

Losen Records Losen Records (initiated 2010 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian record label founded by Odd Gjelsnes at the distribution company MusikkLosen. Background The distribution company MusikkLosen was founded in 1997 by Odd Gjelsnes, and Losen Records, wh ...

) at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in

. * 17 – Uhørt! – Sund jazz program on tour at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in

. * 27 – The 54th edition of the Norwegian national

Melodi Grand Prix Melodi Grand Prix (), commonly known as Grand Prix and MGP, sometimes as Norsk Melodi Grand Prix, is an annual music competition organised by Norwegian public broadcaster (NRK). It determines for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been sta ...

final will select Norway's entry for the

Eurovision Song Contest 2016 The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 was the 61st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Stockholm, Sweden, following the country's victory at the with the song "Heroes (Måns Zelmerlöw song), Heroes" by Måns Zelmerlöw. Organis ...

March

* 2 – The By:Larm started in

(March 2–5). * 3 **

Frode Alnæs Frode Alnæs (born 3 March 1959) is a Norwegian jazz guitarist and composer, known from cooperation with international artists like Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, Arild Andersen, Jon Balke, Ole Edvard Antonsen, Ketil Bjørnstad, Henning ...

' release concert for the album ''Kanestrøm'' (Øra Fonogram) at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in

. ** Vinterjazzfestivalen started in

Fredrikstad Fredrikstad (; previously ''Frederiksstad''; literally "Fredrik's Town") is a List of cities in Norway, city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Østfold Counties of Norway, county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipal ...

(March 3–6). ** Oslo International Church Music Festival 2016 opened in

(March 3–13). * 4 –

Narvik Winter Festival Narvik Winter Festival, in Norwegian just (The Winter Festival Week), is an annual cultural festival with railway history platform in Narvik. It is based on stories, myths and facts from the construction time of the Narvik and Kiruna railway sys ...

started (March 4–13). * 18 –

Vossajazz Vossajazz or Vossa Jazz (established 19 December 1973) is an international jazz festival in Voss, Norway, which takes place annually during the week before Easter, and which also includes concerts throughout the year. The festival has been led by ...

started in Voss (March 18–20). * 19 **

Øyvind Skarbø Øyvind Skarbø (born 9 April 1982 in Norway) is a Norwegian drummer and composer, raised in Stranda Municipality, and now residing in Bergen Municipality. Biography Skarbø studied under the guidance of Terje Isungset at Griegakademiet, and ...

was awarded the 2016

prisen. **

Nils Økland Nils Andreas Økland (10 June 1882 – 1969) was a Norwegian Esperantist and teacher in Stord (Hordaland), Norway. He spent some years in his youth on the island Utsira, where his father was a school teacher. Nils Økland was married to Ha ...

performs ''Glødetrådar'', the commissioned work for Vossajazz 2016. * 23 –

Inferno Metal Festival Inferno Metal Festival is an annual extreme metal festival that takes place every year during Easter in Oslo, Norway. The festival was founded by Borknagar guitarist Jens F. Ryland in cooperation with Radar Booking in 2001 and takes place at R ...

2016 started in

(March 23–26).

April

* 21 –

Nidaros Blues Festival Nidaros, Niðarós or Niðaróss () was the medieval name of Trondheim when it was the capital of Norway's first Christian kings. It was named for its position at the mouth (Old Norse: ''óss'') of the River Nid (the present-day Nidelva). Althou ...

opened in

Trondheim Trondheim ( , , ; ), historically Kaupangen, Nidaros, and Trondhjem (), is a city and municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. As of 2022, it had a population of 212,660. Trondheim is the third most populous municipality in Norway, and is ...

(April 21–24). * 22 – SoddJazz started in

Inderøy Municipality Inderøy is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Trøndelag Counties of Norway, county, Norway. It is part of the Innherad Districts of Norway, region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Straumen, Trøn ...

Nord-Trøndelag Nord-Trøndelag (; "North Trøndelag") was a counties of Norway, county constituting the northern part of the present-day Trøndelag county in Norway. It bordered the old Sør-Trøndelag ("South Trøndelag") county as well as the county of Nordl ...

(April 22–26). * 28 – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival started in

Karmøy Municipality Karmøy is a municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is southwest of the town of Haugesund in the traditional district of Haugaland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Kopervik. Most of the municipality lies on ...

(April 28–30).

May

* 2 – Trondheim Jazz Festival started (May 2 – 12). * 3 –

MaiJazz MaiJazz is the Stavanger International Jazz Festival in Stavanger, Norway. Since the first MaiJazz in 1989, the festival has presented both international and national musicians. About 200 volunteers organize 40 concerts on 20 venues in and aroun ...

2016 started in

Stavanger Stavanger, officially the Stavanger Municipality, is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Norway. It is the third largest city and third largest metropolitan area in Norway (through conurbation with neighboring Sandnes) and the ...

(May 3 – 7). * 4 –

AnJazz AnJazz or Hamar Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival occurring at Hamar, Norway. History The festival has been arranged since 2005. The Hamar Theater is the festival's secretariat and represents the festival's point of contact and operati ...

the Hamar Jazz Festival started at

Hamar Hamar is a List of cities in Norway, town in Hamar Municipality in Innlandet Counties of Norway, county, Norway. Hamar is the administrative centre of Hamar Municipality. It is located in the Districts of Norway, traditional region of Hedmarken. ...

(May 4 – 7). * 25 – The

Festspillene i Bergen Bergen International Festival () is an annual international music and cultural festival in Bergen, Norway. In Spring 2022, Lars Petter Hagen took over as festival director. Biography The Bergen International festival is the largest festival ...

2016 started (May 25 – June 8). * 26 – The

Nattjazz Bergen International Jazz Festival or Nattjazz, is one of the largest jazz festivals of Norway. The festival has a musical profile with an emphasis on ethnic and jazz, contemporary jazz. It is held annually in late May, coinciding with Festspil ...

2016 started in

Bergen Bergen (, ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, second-largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. By May 20 ...

(May 26 – June 3).

June

* 2 – Christian Grøvlen is awarded the Robert Levins Pianistpris, a memorial prize, in Oslo by Mona Levin. * 15 – Bergenfest 2016 with headliner

Sigur Rós Sigur Rós () is an Icelandic post-rock band that formed in 1994 in Reykjavík. It comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Jónsi, Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm, and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Known for their ethereal soun ...

(June 15 – 18).

July

* 6 **

Kongsberg Jazzfestival Kongsberg Jazz Festival or Kongsberg Jazzfestival is an international jazz festival that has been held annually in Kongsberg, Norway, since 1964. Artists Several worldwide great artists have visited Kongsberg during this festival; internation ...

2016 opened with

Pat Metheny Patrick Bruce Metheny ( ; born August 12, 1954) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. He was the leader of the Pat Metheny Group (1977–2010) and continues to work in various small-combo, duet, and solo settings, as well as other side pr ...

consert (August 6 – 9). **

Susanna Wallumrød Susanna Karolina Wallumrød (born 23 June 1979) is a Norwegian vocalist, known for her low key original songs. She was born in Kongsberg, and is the sister of the drummer Fredrik Wallumrød and the pianist Christian Wallumrød; she is the cous ...

was recipient of the Kongsberg Jazz Award or DNB.prisen 2016 at the

. * 18 –

Moldejazz Molde International Jazz Festival (MIJF) or Moldejazz (established 1961 in Molde Municipality) takes place annually in July, and is known as one of the oldest jazz festivals in Europe. It was initiated by the local Storyville Jazz Club. Since 1 ...

2016 started with

Ola Kvernberg Ola Kvernberg (born 16 June 1981) is a Norwegian jazz musician known for his virtuosic string swing violin playing and his international performances. He is the son of traditional musicians Liv Rypdal Kvernberg and Torbjørn Kvernberg, and the br ...

as artist in residence (August 18 – 23).

August

* 3 – The 29th

Notodden Blues Festival Notodden Blues Festival (NBF) is one of the largest blues music festivals in Europe and the largest in Scandinavia. The festival is held in Notodden, Norway, usually the first weekend August. It has been running annually since 1988. The festival ...

start in

Notodden is a municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Aust-Telemark. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Notodden. Other population centres include the villages of Bolkesjø, G ...

(August 3–7). * 4 – The 22nd Hemnesjazz started in

Hemnesberget Hemnesberget is a village in Hemnes Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located on the Hemnes peninsula which lies on the south side of the Ranfjorden. Hemnes Church is located in this village. The village has a population (2024) of ...

( August 4–7). * 9 – The 18th

Øyafestivalen Øyafestivalen is an annual Norwegian music festival held in the Tøyen Park, Oslo. It has grown quickly since its modest start in 1999 and has become one of Norway's biggest and most important music festivals. The festival has previously fe ...

started in

( August 9–13). * 10 ** The 5th Kids in Jazz festival started in

as part of the

Oslo Jazzfestival Oslo International Jazz Festival (Oslo Jazzfestival, established 1986 in Norway) is a Norwegians, Norwegian music event, held in August, with a focus on music form the jazz genre, performed on stages in Oslo. History The pilot project (1984–1 ...

(August 10–14). ** The 30th Sildajazz started in

Haugesund Haugesund () is a municipalities of Norway, municipality and List of towns and cities in Norway, town on the North Sea in Rogaland county, Norway. As of December 2023, the municipality of Haugesund has a population of 37,855. The vast majority of ...

(August 10–16). * 11 – The

Tromsø Jazz Festival Tromsø Jazz Festival (initiated 2006 in Tromsø, Norway under the name Barents Jazz) started out as an annual winter festival, but was transformed to an annual summer festival in 2016. Biography The festival was arranged for the first time in ...

started in

(August 11 – 14). * 14 – The 31st

started in

with opening concert by Jan Garbarek Group featuring

Trilok Gurtu Trilok Gurtu (born 30 October 1951) is an Indian percussionist and composer whose work has blended the music of India with jazz fusion and world music. He has worked with Terje Rypdal, Gary Moore, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Joe Zawinu ...

(August 14 – 20).

September

* 4 – The 11th Punktfestivalen started in

Kristiansand Kristiansand is a city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Agder county, Norway. The city is the fifth-largest and the municipality is the sixth-largest in Norway, with a population of around 116,000 as of January 2020, following th ...

( September 4–6).

October

* 13 – The 33rd DølaJazz started in

Lillehammer Lillehammer () is a municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Lillehammer. Some of the more notable villages in the munici ...

( October 13–16).

November

* 9 – The

Vardø Vardo or Vardø may refer to: Places * Vardø Municipality, a municipality in Finnmark county, Norway *Vardø (town) (Norwegian language, Norwegian; ), , or is a List of towns and cities in Norway, town and the administrative centre of Vard� ...

Blues Festival (Blues i Vintermørket) started (November 9 – 13).

December

* 11 – The

Nobel Peace Prize Concert The Nobel Peace Prize Concert ( Norwegian and Swedish: '')'' has been held annually since 1994 on 11 December to honour the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The award ceremony on 10 December takes place in Oslo City Hall, while the concert has been ...

was held at

Telenor Arena Unity Arena, previously known as Telenor Arena and Fornebu Arena, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located at Fornebu in Bærum, outside Oslo, Norway. It serves as a venue for a variety of events, including concerts, exhibitions, action shows, ...

. * 29 – The 11th RIBBEjazz starts in

Lillestrøm Lillestrøm is a municipality in Akershus county. It is located in the traditional district of Romerike. With a population of 85,757 inhabitants, it is the fourth most populated municipality in Viken. It was founded on 1 January 2020 as a merger ...

Albums released

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

New Artists

* Aksel Rykkvin,

boy soprano A boy soprano (British and especially North American English) or boy treble (only British English) is a young male singer with a voice in the soprano range, a range that is often still called the treble voice range (in North America too) no m ...

nominated for

Spellemannprisen The Spellemannprisen (also referred to as the Norwegian Grammy Awards) is a Norwegian music award ceremony presented by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry#Local associations, IFPI Norge and :no:FONO, FONO. It was first awarded i ...

, and named "The Musician of the Year" during the national part of the Youth Music Championship 2016-2017. *

Astrid S Astrid Smeplass (born 29 October 1996), known professionally as Astrid S, is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. In 2013, she placed fifth in the Norwegian version of '' Pop Idol'', entitled '' Idol – Jakten på en superstjerne''. In 2020, she ...

, singer and recipient of the newcomer

Deaths

;January * 5 – Hanna-Marie Weydahl, classical pianist (born

1922 Events January * January 7 – Dáil Éireann (Irish Republic), Dáil Éireann, the parliament of the Irish Republic, ratifies the Anglo-Irish Treaty by 64–57 votes. * January 10 – Arthur Griffith is elected President of Dáil Éirean ...

). * 25 – Leif Solberg, contemporary classical composer and organist (born

1914 This year saw the beginning of what became known as the First World War, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne was Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip ...

). ;February * 19 – Harald Devold, jazz saxophonist (born

1964 Events January * January 1 – The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. * January 5 – In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the fifteenth century, Pope Paul VI and Patria ...

). ;March * 11 – Kari Diesen Jr., entertainer (born

1939 This year also marks the start of the World War II, Second World War, the largest and deadliest conflict in human history. Events Events related to World War II have a "WWII" prefix. January * January 1 ** Coming into effect in Nazi Ger ...

). ;April * 4 – Andris Snortheim, children's musician (born

1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 ...

). * 24 – Jan Henrik Kayser, classical pianist (born

1933 Events January * January 11 – Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith makes the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. * January 17 – The United States Congress votes in favour of Philippines independen ...

). ;May * 25 – Per Øien, classical flutist (born

1937 Events January * January 1 – Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua. * January 5 – Water levels begin to rise in the Ohio River in the United States, leading to the Ohio River flood of 1937, which continues into Feb ...

). ;June * 8 –

Terje Fjærn Terje Egil Tolås Fjærn (25 August 1942 – 8 June 2016) was a Norwegian musician, orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typica ...

, jazz and pop music orchestra conductor, "

La det swinge "La det swinge" (; "Let it swing") is a song recorded by the pop duo Bobbysocks! –Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreassen– with music composed and Norwegian lyrics written by Rolf Løvland. It in the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 held in Gothenb ...

" (born

1942 The Uppsala Conflict Data Program project estimates this to be the deadliest year in human history in terms of conflict deaths, placing the death toll at 4.62 million. However, the Correlates of War estimates that the prior year, 1941, was th ...

). * 17 – Willy Andresen, jazz pianist and bandleader (born

1921 Events January * January 2 ** The Association football club Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, from Belo Horizonte, is founded as the multi-sports club Palestra Italia by Italian expatriates in First Brazilian Republic, Brazil. ** The Spanish lin ...

). * 18 –

Sverre Kjelsberg Sverre Kjelsberg (18 October 1946 – 18 June 2016) was a Norwegian singer, guitarist, bassist, composer, and lyricist. He was a member of the band The Pussycats from 1964. He and Mattis Hætta represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1 ...

, popular music singer and bassist (born

1946 1946 (Roman numerals, MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1946th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 946th year of the 2nd millennium, the 46th year of the 20th centur ...

). ;July * 31 – Jon Klette, jazz saxophonist (born

1962 The year saw the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is often considered the closest the world came to a Nuclear warfare, nuclear confrontation during the Cold War. Events January * January 1 – Samoa, Western Samoa becomes independent from Ne ...

). ;August * 10 – Per Müller, musician and singer (born

1932 Events January * January 4 – The British authorities in India arrest and intern Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel. * January 9 – Sakuradamon Incident (1932), Sakuradamon Incident: Korean nationalist Lee Bong-chang fails in his effort ...

). * 18 – Fred Nøddelund, jazz flugelhornist and band leader (born

1947 It was the first year of the Cold War, which would last until 1991, ending with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Events January * January–February – Winter of 1946–47 in the United Kingdom: The worst snowfall in the country i ...

). ;September * 9 – Knut Wiggen, contemporary classical composer (born

1927 Events January * January 1 – The British Broadcasting ''Company'' becomes the BBC, British Broadcasting ''Corporation'', when its Royal Charter of incorporation takes effect. John Reith, 1st Baron Reith, John Reith becomes the first ...

). * 30 –

Lilleba Lund Kvandal Annbjørg Helene "Lilleba" Lund Kvandal (21 April 1940 – 30 September 2016) was a Norwegian soprano singer and song teacher. She was born in Oslo to Casper Lund and Signe Jensen, and was married to composer Johan Kvandal from 1976. She stu ...

, opra singer (born

1940 A calendar from 1940 according to the Gregorian calendar, factoring in the dates of Easter and related holidays, cannot be used again until the year 5280. Events Below, events related to World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January *Janu ...

). ;November * 30 – Ivar Thomassen, traditional folk singer, songwriter, and jazz pianist (born

1954 Events January * January 3 – The Italian broadcaster RAI officially begins transmitting. * January 7 – Georgetown–IBM experiment: The first public demonstration of a machine translation system is held in New York, at the head ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 In Norwegian Music Music of Norway Norwegian

Music Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of Musical form, form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise Musical expression, expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all hum ...

2010s in Norwegian music

Events

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Albums released

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

New Artists

Deaths

See also

References