The festival has a musical profile with an emphasis on ethnic and contemporary jazz.

It moved to Studentsenteret in 1978 (now demolished and rebuilt), and eventually to USF Verftet in 1994.

In addition, it was adapted to include areas where the public could relax and watch what happened at the various stages using internal channels.

Future plans are to re-establish the USF Verftet as the main location for events at the festival.

[4] Nattjazzprisen or Hansaprisen – verdt å vente på (Hansa Prize) was established in 2005 by the jazz festival Nattjazz in Bergen, Norway in collaboration with Hansa Borg Bryggerier.