From 26 July to 1 August, around 70 young musicians from across Denmark will gather at Klejtrup Musikefterskole in Hobro for Sommerstævnet Jazzdalen. Immediately afterwards, it’s the professionals’ turn as Jazz Danmark’s Summer Session fills Krogerup Højskole with jazz musicians from around the world from 2–8 August.

Ten years of community for young talents

Sommerstævnet Jazzdalen is aimed at musicians under the age of 18 and focuses on strengthening the next generation of Danish jazz. Over the course of a week of ensemble playing, inspiration and community, participants have the opportunity to develop their musical skills in a supportive environment under the guidance of some of Denmark’s most experienced jazz musicians.

The camp places a strong emphasis on diversity and balanced gender representation, offering everything from ensemble playing and workshops to concerts and social activities in beautiful natural surroundings. This year, the camp celebrates its 10th anniversary. The milestone will be marked with a concert featuring a specially assembled group of former Jazzdalen participants.

Jazzdalen is organised by Jazz Danmark in collaboration with Klejtrup Musikefterskole and drummer Kristoffer Juel. The camp takes place from 26 July to 1 August 2026 and is supported by Statens Kunstfond, Spar Nord Fonden, Ole Kirk’s Fond, Toyota-Fonden, Knud Højgaards Fond and AP Møller Fonden.

A legendary camp at the highest level

Jazz Danmark’s Summer Session is Northern Europe’s largest professional development programme for jazz musicians and has, over the years, become an institution in Danish jazz. At Krogerup Højskole, an outstanding group of professional musicians comes together to work intensively in ensembles, inspired and guided by an international faculty of world-class artists.

This year’s faculty consists of Milena Casado, Tarus Mateen, Eric McPherson, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Juliana Venter and Django Bates, who leads a special composition combo. The artistic directors of Summer Session 2026-2027 are Cornelia Nilsson and Jakob Dinesen.

Participants work in fixed ensembles, while the faculty rotates throughout the week, giving everyone the opportunity to collaborate across groups and work with each of the instructors. Summer Session takes place from 2–8 August 2026 and is made possible through its collaboration with Krogerup Højskole and support from Augustinus Fonden, Beckett Fonden, KODA Kultur, Autor, Toyota-Fonden and Goethe-Institut.