Djangofestivalen 2026

Line-up:
Hot Club de Norvège (NO) + guest Lars Frank (NO)
Graf–Winterstein–Kliphuis Quartet (DE/NL)

Djangofestivalen 2026
Cosmopolite, Oslo — 22–24 January

Since 1980, the legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt has been celebrated in Norway with a dedicated festival — a tradition that has now been adopted in more than 50 countries. The festival takes place at Cosmopolite in Oslo, and in 2026 it returns from 22 to 24 January.

As always, Jon Larsen — the festival’s founder and longtime driving force — will be the evening’s host.

The festival presents string music, swing, string swing and gypsy jazz, featuring both international guests and leading Norwegian musicians. Audiences can look forward to concerts, jam sessions and heartfelt tributes to Django’s musical legacy — in both traditional and innovative forms.

Hot Club de Norvège (NO) + guest Lars Frank (NO)

Line-up:
Ola Erlien – guitar
Gildas Le Pape – guitar
Finn Hauge – violin & harmonica
Svein Aarbostad – double bass
Guest: Lars Frank – clarinet/saxophone

Hot Club de Norvège is a jazz quartet and Norway’s most renowned string swing band. Since its formation in 1979, the group has delighted audiences with infectious energy and virtuosic string music. The band has a long tradition of inviting guest musicians and vocalists on stage — and this time they are joined by internationally acclaimed clarinetist and saxophonist Lars Frank.

Founder Svein Aarbostad still anchors the band with his steady bass lines, while French guitarist Gildas Le Pape — known from the metal band Satyricon — has brought new energy to the ensemble since joining in 2018. Finn Hauge shines on both violin and harmonica, and the young guitarist Ola Erlien has quickly become a rising force on the Norwegian swing scene.

Over the years, Hot Club de Norvège has collaborated with many of the world’s greatest names in Django-inspired music, and they remain a crowd favourite for their lively interplay and timeless swing.

Lars Frank is an in-demand clarinetist and saxophonist, educated at the Norwegian Academy of Music. A central figure in Norwegian jazz, he performs with ensembles such as Jazzombies, Ytre Suløens Jass Ensemble, Lars Frank Quartet and Norwegian Jazz Kings, in addition to several personal projects.

In recent years he has appeared as a soloist at international festivals across Europe and Asia, and in 2016 he received the prestigious Kobe Jazz Street Award in Japan.

Graf–Winterstein–Kliphuis Quartet (DE/NL)

Line-up:
Gismo Graf – guitar
Brady Winterstein – guitar
Tim Kliphuis – violin
Daniel Gueli – double bass

A powerful quartet bringing together some of the finest musicians from Germany and the Netherlands.

Gismo Graf formed his own trio at the age of 18, and has since gained international attention with performances throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. With a soulful, expressive tone, he blends Django’s legacy with elements of pop, bossa nova and classical music.

Brady Winterstein comes from a long lineage of gypsy jazz musicians, adding fresh energy to the tradition — combining virtuosity with a modern musical voice. He has appeared at many of Europe’s leading festivals, including the prestigious Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois-sur-Seine.

Tim Kliphuis is one of the world’s foremost violinists in gypsy jazz. First known through the Fapy Lafertin Quintet, he later toured and recorded with the Rosenberg Trio, Angelo Debarre, Samson Schmitt and others. He has also introduced thousands of string players to the genre through his bestselling book Grappelli Gypsy Jazz Violin.

Daniel Gueli discovered gypsy jazz later in his career, yet quickly became part of ensembles such as the Marcia Bamberg Quartet and Mozes Rosenberg Trio. He has also performed with notable artists including Paulus Schäfer, Stochelo Rosenberg and Kussi Weiss.