Hedwig Mollestad Weejuns – ‘Bitches Blues’

Key Takeaways

• Hedwig won Norway’s Buddy Prize, receiving ~US$8,250 award
• New album “Bitches Blues” released April 17 on LP, CD, digital
• Trio Weejuns features keyboardist Stale Storlokken and drummer Ole Mofjell
• Record blends electric rock, free jazz, and restrained blues passages
• Album showcases democratic interplay, giving equal weight to all three instruments

Pulse Analysis

Hedwig Mollestad Thomassen has become a defining figure in contemporary Norwegian jazz, earning two Spellemannprisen awards and now the Buddy Prize—one of the country’s highest musical honors. The prize, accompanied by a cash award of approximately US$8,250, acknowledges her contributions as a performer, educator, and international ambassador for Norway’s vibrant jazz community. This recognition arrives as the nation’s jazz scene enjoys heightened global interest, with festivals and streaming platforms spotlighting Scandinavian innovators.

The newly released "Bitches Blues" marks a subtle shift for Mollestad’s Weejuns trio. While retaining her trademark electric guitar ferocity, the album introduces a more balanced sonic conversation among guitar, keyboards, and drums. Stale Storlokken’s organ work evokes 1970s prog influences, and Ole Mofjell’s dynamic drumming provides both thunderous crescendos and delicate textures. Across six instrumental tracks, listeners encounter everything from distortion‑laden rock riffs to introspective, slow‑burning blues, illustrating Mollestad’s willingness to explore beyond her established avant‑garde territory.

From a market perspective, the album’s multi‑format release—vinyl, CD, and digital—targets both collectors and streaming audiences, capitalizing on the resurgence of physical media among jazz aficionados. The Buddy Prize’s publicity amplifies her profile, likely boosting streaming numbers and opening doors for future European tours. As jazz listeners increasingly seek genre‑defying experiences, Mollestad’s blend of raw energy and nuanced composition positions her to capture a broader, global audience while reinforcing Norway’s reputation as a hotbed for innovative jazz talent.