The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 2003 in Norwegian music.
Events
January
17 – The 22nd annual Djangofestival started on Cosmopolite in Oslo, Norway (January 17 – 19). 30 – The 6th Polarjazz started in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (January 30 – February 2).
February
6 – Kristiansund Opera Festival opened (February 6 – 22).
March
13 – The annual By:Larm started in Trondheim (March 13 – 16).
April
11
The 30th Vossajazz started at Voss (April 11 – 13). Kåre Opheim was awarded Vossajazzprisen 2003. 3 – Terje Rypdal performs the commissioned work Vossabrygg for Vossajazz 2003. 25 – Ole Blues started in Bergen (April 25 – May 3).
May
6 – The 14th MaiJazz started in Stavanger (May 6 – 10). 21 The start of Bergen International Music Festival Festspillene i Bergen (May 21 – June 1). The 31st Nattjazz 2004 started in Bergen (May 21 – 31).
June
13 – Norwegian Wood started in Oslo (June 13 – 15).
July
2 – The 39th Kongsberg Jazzfestival started in Kongsberg (July 2 – 5). 12 – The 43rd Moldejazz started in Molde (July 12 – 17).
August
6 – The 17th Sildajazz started in Haugesund (August 6 – 10). 7 – The annual Øyafestivalen started in Oslo (August 7 – 9). 11 – The 18th Oslo Jazzfestival started in Oslo (August 11 – 17).
September
3 – The 2nd Insomnia Festival started in Tromsø (September 3 – 6). 30 – The 1st Ekkofestival started in Bergen (September 30 – Oktober 3.
October
1 – The DølaJazz started in Lillehammer. 2 – The Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival started in Oslo (October 2 – 12). 31 – The Trondheim Jazz Festival started in Trondheim (October 31 – November 8).
November
4 – The Oslo World Music Festival started in Oslo (November 4 – 9).
December
11– The Nobel Peace Prize Concert was held in Oslo Spektrum.
Albums released
November
Unknown date
A
Arild Andersen
Moon Water (NorCD), with Carsten Dahl and Patrice Heral
B
Jon Balke
Trialogue (Jazzland Recordings), with Lars Møller and Morten Lund
I
Terje Isungset
Middle Of Mist (Jazzland Recordings)
N
Paal Nilssen-Love
Schlinger (Smalltown Supersound), with Håkon Kornstad
Births
April
11 – Aksel Rykkvin, boy soprano.
Deaths
January
June
5 – Ola Calmeyer, jazz pianist (born 1930).
November
6 – Hallvard Johnsen, composer and flautist (born 1916).
December
12 – Peder Alhaug, tenor (born 1921).