The summer camp was first held in 1975 at Agder Folkehøgskole. With the exception of a break between 1986 and 1989, it has run every year since — at various venues over the years. Since 1999 it has been back at its birthplace in Søgne. The course was originally run by Norwegian jazz musicians in collaboration with the Norwegian Jazz Forum. In 2009, Foreningen Sommerkursene.no took over.

Over the years, the course has become a regular meeting point for emerging musicians, semi-professionals, and amateurs — ranging in age from 18 to 75. Many of the musicians who would go on to define Norwegian jazz and improvised music have passed through, as students or as teachers. The teaching staff has been mainly Norwegian, with regular guests from Denmark, Sweden, England, Germany, and the United States.

Key facts

The course is organized by Foreningen Sommerkursene.no, with support from a range of partners.
Participants with a Norwegian high school diploma can earn 3 university credits through a collaboration with the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH).
We have room for up to 75 participants each year.
8–9 instructors each year, mainly from Norway, with some international names as well.

From the 50th anniversary celebration, 2025.

Former participants

Christian Meaas Svendsen, Kasper Værnes, Henriette Martedatter Rølvaag, Harald Lassen, Live Foyn Friis, Frode Alnæs, Børge Pettersen Øverleir, Knut Værnes, Morten Halle, Rune Klakegg, Bertine Zetlitz, Aggie “Frost” Petterson, Live Maria Roggen, Erlend Skomsvoll, Erik Balke, Jon Balke, Frank Jakobsen, Edvard Askeland, Carl Størmer, Ivar Anton Waagaard, Bjørn Enoksen, Bjørn Klakegg, Frode Berg, Lars Andreas Haug, Sjur Miljeteig, Audun Kleive, Sidsel Endresen, Oda Matthea Westli, Jesper Hasnaoui Haigen, Fabia Mantwill (Germany), Fredrik Wilmow (Germany), Geir Holmsen — and many more.

Former teachers

Sidsel Endresen (vocals), Sheila Jordan (vocals), Radka Toneff (vocals), Elin Rosseland (vocals), Torun Eriksen (vocals), Danny Gottlieb (drums), Lars Danielsson (bass), Georg Wadenius (guitar), Nils Petter Molvær (trumpet), Iain Ballamy (sax), Bugge Wesseltoft (piano), Arve Henriksen (trumpet), Petter Wettre (sax), Mathias Eick (trumpet), Jason Rebello (piano), Frode Berg (bass), Helge Lien (piano), Jørn Øien (piano), Susanne Weinert (guitar), Warne Marsh (sax), Karl Berger (vibraphone), Jon Eberson (guitar), Jan Garbarek (sax) — and many more.

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