A Historic Moment for Jazz in Norway
ON THE NEWS:
Watch the AWARD CEREMONY on NRK
The inaugural ceremony for The messenger Award was covered on NRK News. Click the link to watch segments from the historic event (in Norwegian).
On November 30th, a truly special moment was written into Norwegian jazz history. Her Majesty Queen Sonja officially received the Messenger Award, an honor presented to individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the visibility, development, and international reach of jazz as American folk music.
The ceremony took place in the dignified and celebratory setting at Chat Noir Theatre in Oslo during the performance of the Norwegian Jazz Orchestra with Felix Peikli featuring Benny Benack III in “The Walt Disney Songbook”. This marked the culmination of an event that many in the jazz community have been looking forward to ever since the award was announced earlier this year.
The Messenger Award is presented by Jazz Music Norway, and honors individuals who serve as powerful ambassadors for jazz in Norway and music culture. The inaugural recipient, the Queen herself, sends a strong and meaningful signal about the importance of jazz, not only artistically, but also culturally and socially.
A Warm and Personal Acceptance
In her acceptance speech, Queen Sonja expressed deep gratitude for the award and spoke movingly about the role music, and jazz in particular, has played throughout her life. She emphasized music’s unique ability to build community, transcend boundaries, and serve as a continuous source of joy, comfort, and inspiration. She also recalled a story from 1952 when she was waiting in line over night to buy tickets to go see Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald perform.
The audience responded with a standing ovation, and the atmosphere in the room clearly reflected the emotional and historical weight of the moment.
A Moment with Lasting Impact
The response following the ceremony has been overwhelming. Musicians, presenters, industry professionals, and audiences across the country have shared their pride and enthusiasm for the way jazz has been elevated through this award. International voices have also taken notice, further strengthening Jazz’s roots as American folk music and its standing on the global stage.
The 2025 Messenger Award will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most significant chapters in the award’s history.
Most importantly, this moment confirms something musicians and audiences have long known:
Jazz, in all its freedom, diversity, and expressive power, is inclusive and truly belongs to everyone.
