The jury based artist elections in part by emphasizing her strong distinction as a composer and band leader.

Maria Kannegaard is a graduate of jazz studies at NTNU, and in the Maria Kannegaard Trio, she plays with Thomas Strønen (Drums)and Ole Morten Vågan (bass).

She characterized the jury as a modest project that often place themselves a little in the background, but none the less, she has been acclaimed as the very talented pianist and composer, she is. And all the time with several projects at once, there is nothing to say on productivity. As a member of both a trio and a quartet, She has also released an album together with Ole Morten Vågan, who won last year's DnB NOR price.

- It is a read fall on me this year, she says, and goes on to record the recording is in progress, including Ingrid Lode, from Trondheim Voices and Kobert, of text and song.

The response from the jazz community is exclusively positive for the selection of this year's winner, and it is just starting to look forward to next year's concert held at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival.

DnB NOR Award is for 100.000 dollars and goes to prominent Norwegian jazz artists of the year. In the last five years of award winners, Ole Morten Vågan, Helge Lien,Morten Quenild, Havard Wiik and Solveig Slettahjell.