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​Nordic Jazz Affairs:
A Harmonious Exploration of Northern Soul

Image by Lucas Marcomini
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Step into a world where music whispers like the wind over fjords, resonates like the quiet roar of glaciers, and burns softly like the auroras in the winter sky. Nordic Jazz Affairs is not just a concert; it’s an invitation to experience the deeply emotional and boundary-pushing sounds of the North, a genre where tradition meets innovation and nature inspires every note.

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Locations + Opennig Hours

Why attend Nordic Jazz Affairs

The Message

Female Music Artist

 

 

At Nordic Jazz Affairs, music becomes a language that connects us to the essence of the North. It’s an affair of emotion, exploration, and connection—a place where every note tells a story, and every pause holds a breath of the vast Nordic spirit.

Come and let the sounds of the North ignite your imagination.

 

Are

      you

              ready

for an affair?*

​*Your spouse is absolutely welcome to join us.

  • World-Class Talent: The event will feature iconic Nordic jazz legends alongside rising stars, each offering their unique voice to the genre.

  • Cultural Connection: Discover the history and philosophy of Nordic jazz through interactive discussions, workshops, and curated listening sessions.

  • Atmospheric Design: The venue will be transformed into a Nordic dreamscape, complete with visuals inspired by the Northern Lights, the serenity of snow-covered peaks, and the warmth of Nordic design

Upcoming events

14/12/2024
Kresten Osgood &
Søren Kjærgaard

Denmark

About the Duo
Kresten and Søren are not just remarkable musicians—they’re also cousins who have been performing together since their teenage years, with their first gig dating back to Oklahoma in 1992. Over the decades, their creative partnership has spanned multiple genres and ensembles, including collaborations in the renowned band Blake Tartare and trios with legendary musicians such as Herb Robertson.
Beyond jazz, they are cult figures in Denmark’s hip-hop scene as members of the band Ikscheltaschel, adding yet another layer to their vibrant musical identities.
Kresten Osgood
A drummer and multi-instrumentalist with nearly 100 albums to his name, Kresten is celebrated for his versatility and innovative approach. He’s collaborated with some of the greatest names in jazz history, including Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, and Roscoe Mitchell, while also exploring rock, rap, and even TV and radio entertainment.
Søren Kjærgaard
A pianist and composer of rare depth, Søren's projects range from avant-garde jazz trios to interdisciplinary collaborations. His albums have earned accolades such as Album of the Year by The New York Jazz Record, cementing his status as one of Denmark's leading voices in jazz and new music.

08/02
Jasper Høiby
Denmark

Copenhagen-born bassist Jasper Høiby created the trio Phronesis in 2005. The group quickly gained recognition for their fresh and dynamic approach to jazz, blending intricate compositions with spontaneous improvisation. Their music transcends genres, combining elements of contemporary jazz, European folk, and various world music influences. With Høiby's bass playing at the forefront, Phronesis has released a string of highly acclaimed albums and toured extensively around the globe, captivating audiences with their energetic performances.

As a composer and bandleader, Høiby's works exhibit a rich harmonic palette and a profound sense of melody. His compositions have been featured not only as part of Phronesis' discography but also in collaborations with other prominent musicians and ensembles. Høiby's music reflects a deep exploration of emotions and the human experience, often delivering powerful narratives through his sonic creations. Høiby is currently active with his electro-acoustic project Planet B, Fellow Creatures, a six piece large ensemble and 3Elements, his new piano trio.

Høiby has and continues to perform and record with a number of original artists, including Tigran Hamasyan, Mark Guiliana, Django Bates, Dave Okumu, ESKA, Shai Maestro, Jeff Ballard, Jason Lindner, SHABAKA, Miquel Zenón, Louis Cole, Julian Joseph, Dave Okumu, Julian Arguelles, Marc O'Reilly, Ana Silvera, Kurt Elling, Teis Semey, Kit Downes, Xavi Torres, Sun Mi Hong, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Pascal Schumaker, Gwilym Simcock, Antonio Loureiro, Tom Arthurs, Mark Lockheart, Liam Noble, Jef Neve, Julia Biel, Seb Rochford, Kairos 4tet, Makaya McCraven, Ben Lamar Gay and Richard Spaven. He has appeared at jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals across the world and in 2012 won the Copenhagen Jazz Festival's 'Young Spirit Award' alongside honorary award winners Jack DeJohnette and Palle Mikkelborg. 

09/03  and 12/03
CLAPPER
Denmark

Hailing from Aarhus, Denmark, the quartet Clapper juxtaposes classic soul- and fusion jazz vibes with inspiration from instrumental hiphop and future beats. Their debut album - On Tempo - is out Dec. 8 through Super Bad Disco/HHV, showcasing the group’s knack for melodic improvisation and neck-snapping switchups, and, once and for all, underlining the potential on the young Danish scene today.

The four members - Frederik Emil Bülow, Adrian Christensen, Jeppe Lavsen, and Malthe Jepsen - are well-known faces in Danish music, also playing in acts such as Abekejser, Hvalfugl, Karmen Rõivassepp Quartet, Bangin’ Bülows Nice Jazz Quartet, and Casper Hejlesen Kvartet, respectively.
Together, they’re able to strum out new music instinctively: ”It’s not important for us to adhere to any particular genre or style”, Jeppe remarks. “We just meet up, have fun, and improvise over riffs we’re digging. Having played together for so many years, it takes a very short time to click and move in the same direction. And from there, it’s simply a matter of picking and working with the best ideas from our improvised sessions.”
The same energy translates to their live shows - regular tour de forces in beat-focused jazz that, although the melodic cheerfulness might deceive new listeners, often end up in high-octane fusion workouts with crowds and musicians alike on their feet.

Guitar: Jeppe Lavsen
Bass: Adrian Christensen
Drums: Frederik Emil Bülow
Keys: Malthe Jepsen

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22/08, 23/08 and 24.08
ALAWARI
Denmark

Danish instrumental collective ALAWARI was founded in 2016, and rapidly garnered a name for themselves on the European jazz scene for their explosive live performances, going on to win Denmark’s Young Jazz competition in the same year. A contrast to their eponymous 2022 debut - a cacophonous musical reflection of revolution - their upcoming release is an exploration of spirituality, transformation, and the totality of the human experience.

 

Despite being a six piece, the ensemble’s sound feels comparable to that of an orchestra or big band, combining through-composed classical-influenced orchestration, intricate interlocking parts, lush waves of texture and a warm, raw, intimate production style to craft a larger-than-life listening experience.Through this journey, ALAWARI aims to reveal the primordial truth: that the spirit precedes all, and that the mundane backdrop of everyday life can be transformed and painted anew, if carried by the right vessel.

 

Sune Sunesen Rendtorff – Piano & Synthesizer

Carlo Janusz Becker Adrian - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Frederik Engell – Tenor saxophone

Michela Turcerová – Alto saxophone

Rafał Różalski – Double Bass

Simon Forchhammer - Drums​

 

24/09  and 27/09
OTOOTO
Denmark

Comprising some of Denmark’s most prominent young musicians, Copenhagen’s trailblazing neo-jazz quintet OTOOTO refer to their innovative blend of jazz tradition and modern indie-pop as ‘homeshake meets the jazz messengers’. Their third studio album ‘2nd Quake’ is set to release on November 8th on April Records.
OTOOTO, consisting of Jonas Due (trumpet and flugelhorn), Oilly Wallace (alto sax and flute), Calle Brickman (keys), Andreas Svendsen (drums and percussion), and Matthias Petri (bass), has been a fixture on both the Danish and international jazz scenes since their 2021 debut ‘This Love Is For You’.

Their new release marks a new chapter in their journey, reflecting a bold, mature artistic vision that promises to cement their place as leaders in Scandinavian contemporary jazz.

“Our mission is to reflect the modern society and put a sound to its vibrations. And through this sound we seek to transmit purity, love, and joy.”

Navigating through a wide array of inspirations from 70’s rock and European church music, to the pioneering sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis, the five piece - led by trumpeter Jonas Due and saxophonist Oilly Wallace - self describe their sound as ‘a roaring sea of analogue synths and velvety horns’.


 

Affairs from the recent past

The northern lights in a freezing March night in Ylläsjarvi, a small village in the Finnis

Kenneth Dahl Knudsen (DK)

 Tuomo Uusitalo (FIN)
Liselotte Östblom (SE)
Simon Olderskog Albertsen (NOR/DK)
Artur Tuznik (DK)
Anders Boye Knudsen(DK)
Rahele Talts (EST)
Kjetil Mulelid (NOR)
Per Texas Johansson(SE)
Kristian Remnelius(SE)
Olle Lannér Risenfors(SE)
Marius Zeeberg (DK))
Emil Hess(DK)
  “Children Of Fish” -  Malina Midera(PL), Petter Asbjørnsen (NOR),  Jēkabs Rēders( LV)
Hein Westgaard TRO - Hein Westgaard (NOR), Simon Forchhammer (DK), Petter Asbjørnsen (NOR)
COSMIC EXPRESS KVINTETS - Olle Lannér Risenfors(SE),  Ima Baeza Bilgin (SE), Benjamin Löfgren(FIN), Isak Ingvarsson (SE), Johan Förnell (SE)

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