Djangofestivalen 2027

Since 1980, Norway has celebrated the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt with a festival dedicated to his music. The tradition continues at Cosmopolite in Oslo, where Djangofestivalen returns from 21 to 23 January 2027.

As always, your host is Jon Larsen — the festival’s founder and longstanding driving force alongside Cosmopolite Scene.

The festival celebrates string music, swing, string swing and gypsy jazz, featuring international guests and leading Norwegian musicians. Over three evenings, audiences will encounter artists who carry Django’s musical legacy forward — respecting tradition while exploring new forms of expression.

Dario Napoli Quartet feat. Baiju Bhatt (IT/FR/CH)

Line-up:
Dario Napoli – guitar
Tonino De Sensi – bass
Benji Winterstein – rhythm guitar
Baiju Bhatt – violin

Ola Kvernberg Gipsy Ensemble (NO/RO)

Line-up:
Ola Kvernberg – violin
Giani Lincan – cimbalom
Ola Erlien – guitar
Ole Morten Vågan – double bass

Dario Napoli Quartet feat. Baiju Bhatt (IT/FR/CH)

Over more than twenty years of international touring, Italian guitarist and composer Dario Napoli has developed a distinctive voice in contemporary gypsy jazz. His music is deeply rooted in the Django Reinhardt tradition, while drawing on influences far beyond the genre’s boundaries.

With his seventh studio album, Sicilian Blood, released in 2026, Napoli presents his most personal project to date. Original compositions sit alongside reimagined classics and unexpected repertoire choices — brought to life through intense guitar playing, fluid phrasing and a strong melodic sensibility.

On stage, he is joined by Baiju Bhatt on violin, Benji Winterstein on rhythm guitar and Tonino De Sensi on bass. Together, they create an energetic and colourful interplay, with Bhatt’s fiery violin playing meeting Napoli’s guitar in a musical conversation full of passion, playfulness and a spirit of exploration.

Ola Kvernberg Gipsy Ensemble (NO/RO)

Ola Kvernberg has a special connection to Djangofestivalen. It was here that he made his national breakthrough in 2000, an encounter that led to recordings and further collaborations with Hot Club de Norvège.

Since then, he has established himself as one of Norway’s most acclaimed jazz violinists and composers, with a musical range spanning string swing, folk, contemporary jazz, rock and film scores. Through projects such as Liarbird and Steamdome, he has shown a continued desire to explore new forms of expression — while maintaining his connection to the string swing tradition.

For Djangofestivalen 2027, he brings together Giani Lincan on cimbalom, Ola Erlien on guitar and Ole Morten Vågan on double bass. The line-up creates a rich acoustic sound, bringing violin and cimbalom together with guitar and double bass. The stage is set for a festival finale full of virtuoso string playing, musical curiosity and lively interplay.