Bjergsted Jazzensemble is a project-based orchestra affiliated to the University of Stavanger Faculty of Performing Arts. It is a Maijazz tradition to challenge the ensemble to perform with exciting artists, and this year´s festival is no exception.
On this occasion, the chosen artist is Shannon Mowday – a south-African born multi-instrumentalist, composer, director, and teacher who moved to Norway in 2009. With a solid education from the University of Cape Town and the Norwegian Academy of Music, we are in the presence of a very eminent musician. She was awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz in 2007 and the Norwegian Jazz Forum´s Big Band Prize in 2018. Recently, she also received the coveted Norwegian Jazz Forum´s Young Jazz Award for her contribution to youth jazz in Norway. As well as performing and recording internationally on her own projects, Shannon has also performed as a soloist with all of the largest symphony orchestras in south Africa.
Shannon also brings Olav Abildgaard on stage on rap and drums. Together with Bjergsted Jazzensemble, they invite you to a fireworks display of a concert with an important theme for reflection.
Photo: CF Wesenberg