Jaga Jazzist has always been a many-headed ensemble, and this year’s edition includes ten musicians. These musicians will present some brand new music that is currently being recorded in the studio. The Øya Festival will be one of two opportunities to hear this new material already this summer. We’re entirely confident that the Medieval Park will provide a perfect setting for Jaga and their new songs. Jaga Jazzist was formed in Tønsberg 15 years ago. They’ve had a unique sound all along, picking elements from jazz, rock and electronica. Two of the driving forces in the band, brothers Lars and Martin Horntveth, have also been involved in numerous other projects, both live and on albums. Other members of Jaga Jazzist have been brought in frequently by the Norwegian rock and pop elite to make guest appearances on albums. The people in today’s line-up have i.a. been involved in Killl, Asbury Park, The National Bank and Puma. The band also includes this year’s winner of the by:Larm stipend, Mathias Eick. Jaga Jazzist’s debut album, ‘A Livingroom Hush’, was released on the international market back in 2001 by cred label Ninja Tune. Both that and the more electronically inspired follow-up, ‘The Stix’ (2002), won an Alarm Award [a Norwegian variant of the Grammy]. Their latest album so far, ‘What We Must’ (2005), turned in a more rock-oriented direction. Sleaze Nation once described Jaga Jazzist as follows: “Like Charles Mingus with the Aphex Twin up his arse.” What you should expect from the 2009 edition of Jaga Jazzist, we do not intend to give away. Just show up in the Medieval Park and be ready for a tidal wave of impressions and great music.

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