Moldejazz is proud to announce that the groundbreaking American jazz artist esperanza spalding will be the festival’s Artist in Residence in 2026. With her boundless musical expression and strong social engagement, Spalding is one of the greatest jazz artists in the world today – already hailed as a successor to the legends of jazz. Audiences can look forward to a truly unique festival experience – featuring at least four diffe,rent concerts, ranging from the intimate and acoustic to the experimental and interdisciplinary.

Endre Volden has chosen not to continue as General Manager of the Molde International Jazz Festival Foundation. The board wishes to thank Volden for his contributions to Moldejazz and to wish him the best in the future

Music journalist and Moldejazz veteran Petter Pettersson and two former Festival Directors, Jan Ole Otnæs and Hans-Olav Solli has compiled an impressive list of albums recorded at – or born out of – Moldejazz, stretching from 1973 to the present day. The selection highlights legendary concerts, world premieres, and unique collaborations that have helped shape the festival’s rich musical history. From Muddy Waters to Chick Corea, from Arild Andersen to Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, these releases capture the spirit of Moldejazz and its role as a creative meeting place for musicians across generations and genres.