Stringswing-guru and multi-talented artist Jon Larsen was, during his teens, very concerned with the American composer and eccentric Frank Zappa. After touring through all of Norway with Hot Club de Norvège, the Zappa-eagerness returned to him at a point somewhere around the mid-2000's. This led him to California and various collaborations with some of the most important musicians from Zappa's band The Mothers of Invention; among others Tommy Mars.

The latter hasn't set his foot on European soil since Zappas death. Until now that is. During Moldejazz, Mars will take the stage with Zappa-colleague Arthur Barrow, Arild Andersen, Rob Waring, Håkon Mjåset Johansen and Jon Larsen. The fairytale itself will be told by none other than the king of audiobooks, Terje Strømdal.

A somewhat atypical experience is what we can expect in the Alexandra-basement on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night, where American star-musicians provide the backdrop for the radio-play about the ever searching hedgehog Willy Nickerson from the fictive town of Skinkebekk. Willy works at the towns mustache wax factory, but does away with his traditional 9-to-5 life to hit the road in search of his dream to make a breakthrough as a bass-player.
- There are many challenges on ones way to stardom, says Jon Larsen to Moldejazz.no
- While the fairytale of Willy might contain some self-experienced truths, I won't admit to it being an autobiography; but with some decades behind me as a gypsy musician, of course a lot of things have happened while on the road!