It has been two years since jazz professionals from all over the world have been able to meet at the major fair, jazzahead!, which takes place in Germany at the end of April. Therefore, JazzDanmark is especially excited to host the Danish Clubnight, which this year will be bigger than ever. Here you can see who has been selected to perform.

Randi Pontoppidan

The critically acclaimed Randi Pontoppidan is known for her experimental blend of vocal work, composition, and electronic live processing of the voice. Trained in both jazz and classical singing, she merges these styles into a completely new world in her compositions, which cannot be categorized into genres but are entirely unique. Pontoppidan’s growing use of live electronics has given her repertoire a range so vast that the possibilities seem endless, and definitions insufficient.

Little North

Little North has firmly established itself as a shining star in the Scandinavian jazz scene. Their classic piano trio format, consisting of piano, double bass, and drums, creates atmospheric soundscapes that feel much larger than the trio setup suggests. With sublime interplay between the three musicians—Benjamin Nørholm Jacobsen (piano), Martin Brunbjerg Rasmussen (bass), and Lasse Jacobsen (drums)—Little North effortlessly moves between composition and improvisation, modern minimalism, and Nordic tradition.

Bévort 3

“This is exactly the kind of jazz where a saxophonist, a bassist, and a drummer play together with abandon, where improvisation and risks are taken, where they swing ‘the pants off you’; other times, it’s lyrical, reflective, and subdued. The organic sound of the instruments takes center stage, and the communication of the moment leads to things that weren’t necessarily meticulously planned. One could mistake it for great storytelling, expressing a mix of joy and melancholy in a beautiful blend.”

Svaneborg Kardyb

The Danish jazz duo Svaneborg Kardyb is one of the newest additions to the Danish jazz scene. Their music is created in the early mornings, over the darkest coffee, and is minimalist with a light, atmospheric expression, where electronic and acoustic sounds unite, and where catchy melodies meet Nordic moods in a dreamy and groovy universe.

Strong Applicant Pool

All participants were selected through an open call, and this year, the applicant pool has been a record size. Many musicians have used the lockdowns to work on and release new music, which is reflected in the number of Danish musicians eager to showcase at jazzahead! Therefore, JazzDanmark has selected four projects to participate in the Clubnight, which is more than in previous years.

The selected musicians were chosen based on factors such as prior experience at the major fair, international momentum, press materials, a motivated application, and diversity throughout the applicant pool.

Danish Jazz at Bremen’s Oldest Jazz Club

The venue Lila Eule will host JazzDanmark’s Clubnight. The club has been a meeting place for Bremen’s youth since 1959, originally featuring the rebellious jazz music of the time, but today, it functions as a venue with ties to all corners of the music world. It is, therefore, the perfect setting for the diverse and broad selection of Danish jazz that will be presented at Clubnight. Read more about Lila Eule here.

New Times

This year, Clubnight will extend throughout the entire day. Previously, the Danish concerts were held in the evening, but in order to stand out from the rest of the program and provide the participating musicians with the best possible conditions, Clubnight will begin early in the afternoon and conclude in the evening. This change aims to avoid competition with the many evening concerts and to preempt potential future restrictions on closing times.