The Northern lights award 2024 goes to Fred Glesnes!

The jury consisted of Stig Mathisen from UiT, the Music Conservatory, Ola Rokkones from Creo, and Rakel Nystabakk, a musician and composer, representing the Northern Lights Festival.

Mediehuset Nordlys is awarding the winner 50,000 NOK, and the Nordlys Prize statue was presented by the editor of Nordlys, Helge Nitteberg, to Fred Glesnes on stage on Friday evening.

The Nordlys Prize is awarded to performing musicians or composers who have distinguished themselves through their work in Northern Norway by maintaining a high artistic standard and, through this, contributed positively to the region’s musical life.

"It is truly with great humility and immense joy that I receive this award. I must say, it’s an incredible honor. To have one’s work noticed is really something special," says Glesnes.

Glesnes joins an impressive list of previous winners, such as Mari Boine, Anneli Drecker, Ola Bremnes, Arvid Engegård, and Knut Erik Sundquist.

"It’s an illustrious company to be included in, so this is a lot of fun!" says this year's award winner.

20-Year Anniversary of Tromsø Big Band

Band leader and this year's award winner, Fred Glesnes, was the initiator behind the formation of Tromsø Big Band, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024.

In an interview with the Northern Lights Festival, Glesnes shared that the initiative to start Tromsø Big Band arose from a need for a band where musicians who wanted to play at a high level after their studies could come together. He himself had returned to Tromsø after completing his master's degree at Western Michigan University in the USA.

“The big band means an incredible amount to me,” says Glesnes. “It takes a lot of time, but I get so much back from it. This is a group where everyone contributes both socially and musically.”

The 2024 Nordlys Prize Goes to a Musician Who Makes a Difference

"As we present the 35th Nordlys Prize today, it is awarded to a musician who truly makes a difference," writes the jury in their statement.

Over time, Fred Glesnes has shown just how significant he is to the community around him, year after year making a difference both on and off the stage. As both an educator and a band leader, he has left his mark.

"There is also no doubt that his trademark as a positive and knowledgeable communicator has been a great source of inspiration for others," says the jury.

A direct result of this is how many of his former students have established themselves at a high level after completing their education.

"Northern Norway and Tromsø have every reason to be proud and grateful for the work you do," the jury concludes.