Nominees 1997

Denmark

• Michala Petri – Recorder player
• Annisette – Rock singer

Finland

• Helsinki Junior Strings – Youth string orchestra
• JPP (Järvelän Pikkupelimannit) – Folk music ensemble

Iceland

• Caput – Ensemble for contemporary music
• Björk (Guðmundsdóttir) – Pop singer – (WINNER)

Norway

• Mari Boine – Jazz and ballad singer
• Leif Ove Andsnes – Pianist

Sweden

• Anders Bergcrantz – Jazz trumpeter
• Håkan Hardenberger – Trumpeter

Greenland

• Ramus Lyberth – Ballad singer