Jazzfest Bonn: a must-see for jazz enthusiasts, kicking off with the historic Norwegian Wind Ensemble
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00:00Can you believe this orchestra has been around for nearly 300 years?
00:08No, the musicians aren't eternal vampires, but the institution might just be immortal.
00:13The Norwegian Wind Ensemble calls themselves the world's oldest continuously operating cultural institution.
00:20And at the ensemble's heart is one of their youngest members.
00:24It's a meeting between classical music and jazz, and when they meet, there's just an explosion that happens within the musical atmosphere.
00:36It opens up a whole new universe to explore, which is really exciting.
00:42The Norwegian Wind Ensemble opened this year's Jazzfest, Bonn.
00:47For over three weeks, the western German city became a happening spot for over 150 jazz musicians
00:53from around the world.
00:56The festival's 30-some concerts all around the city draws thousands of visitors.
01:01Bonn is no stranger to music legends.
01:04Ludwig van Beethoven was born here.
01:06But do you know who was making music before him and is still playing today?
01:10You guessed it!
01:12The Norwegian Wind Ensemble.
01:15Unfortunately, Beethoven was no eternal vampire either, so he can't share the stage with them today.
01:21And so they've invited another music talent.
01:25Norwegian saxophonist Marius Nesset sets the tone with his jazz vibes.
01:30We play really dynamic, and that's really great with such a big ensemble that you're listening into each other and realize the other data almost don't need anything in monitor because it's so dynamic, the whole thing.
01:47And that's really special with this ensemble.
01:50Based in the small town of Halden, just south of Oslo, the group began as a military band and has grown into one of Norway's most unusual orchestras.
01:59Concerts at Oslo's Opera House are now just as much a part of the program as performances at the city's university.
02:10The Norwegian Wind Ensemble combines centuries-old music with bold new experiments.
02:17From baroque to jazz, nothing is off limits.
02:21We have the opportunity to really dive into the different styles, which I think again makes us continually renew and evolve our musical expression.
02:35The Norwegian musician Erlen Skomsvold takes the stage at the Jazz Fest in Bonn.
02:44A familiar face to both the ensemble and Marius Nesset.
02:49Back in 2023, they teamed up to compose and arrange the program they now perform at the Jazz Fest.
02:56Erlen not only conducts, but he also leads with the piano.
03:08This music lives in the body and the minds of the people and musicians in the band.
03:13So I hear that we are more mature in understanding the music and playing it together.
03:20So that's the biggest thrill.
03:30While jazz still swings with the old guard, younger audience members are also there.
03:35They had so much energy and you could really feel that they love what they're doing.
03:42I love jazz and I got the tickets for my mouth.
03:44The music is a bit unusual, a bit weird, but just beautiful.
03:50Best concert in a long time.
03:52Yeah, it was really wonderful. A great experience. Perfect Nordic style.
03:58While overseas tours are still the exception for the ensemble, performing certainly isn't.
04:05It is a beautiful way to live, to play for a living.
04:08It creates beauty in the world, it inspires people, and it colors your life in a wonderful way.
04:17With 120 concerts a year, jazz fans have lots of chances to see this ensemble on tour.