The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 1981 in Norwegian music.
Events
April
10 – The 8th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (April 10 – 12).
May
20 – 9th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 20 – June 3).
Albums released
Unknown date
A
The Aller Værste! Disniland I De Tusen Hjem (Den Gode Hensikt)
G
Jan Garbarek
Folk Songs (ECM Records), with Charlie Haden, and Egberto Gismonti
Eventyr (ECM Records), with Nana Vasconcelos, Palle Danielsson, and John Abercrombie Nude Ants (ECM Records), with Keith Jarrett, Palle Danielsson, and Jon Christensen
K
Karin Krog
I Remember You (Spotlite Records)
R
Terje Rypdal
To Be Continued (ECM Records)
S
Thorgeir Stubø
Notice (ECM Records) Øystein Sunde Barkebille Boogie (Philips Records)
V
Jan Erik Vold
Stein. Regn (PolyGram Records), with Kåre Virud and Telemark Blueslag
Deaths
February
1 – Geirr Tveitt, composer and pianist (born 1908).
May
22 – Reimar Riefling, classical pianist, music teacher, and music critic (born 1898).
Births
February
2 – Julian Berntzen, vocalist, pianist, violinist and composer.
March
18 – Ingrid Olava, singer, pianist, and songwriter. 25 – Cato Sundberg, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Donkeyboy.
April
7 – Amund Maarud, blues and rock guitarist. 27 – Hilde Marie Kjersem, singer and songwriter.
June
16 – Ola Kvernberg, jazz violinist and composer.
July
13 – Sigurd Hole, jazz upright bassist , Eple Trio. 28 – Lars Fredrik Frøislie, vocalist, keyboardist and drummer. 29 – Gjermund Larsen, traditional folk music violinist and composer.
August
3 – Erlend Tvinnereim, operatic tenor.
October
24
Fredrik Mikkelsen, jazz guitarist. Lucy Swann, English musician, vocalist, and composer, living in Norway. 26 – Erlend Slettevoll, jazz pianist and keyboarder. 28 – Andreas Loven, jazz pianist. 29 – Lene Alexandra, singer and model.
November
December
17 – Kim Myhr, jazz guitarist. 20 – John Olav Nilsen, vocalist and songwriter, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen. 24 – Solveig Heilo, composer and percussionist, Katzenjammer.
Unknown date
Ivar Loe Bjørnstad, jazz and rock drummer. Todd Terje, DJ, songwriter, and record producer.