Look forward to an unforgettable evening filled with music, awards, and plenty of jazz magic, as Jazz Danmark and Tivoli celebrate some of Denmark’s finest jazz artists.

On Wednesday, September 3rd, the Glass Hall opens its doors for an evening where you’ll meet the winners of the Tivoli Jazzpris 2025 and experience them performing live with the renowned Tivoli Orchestra.

We are now proud to announce this year’s six grant recipients:

• Christina von Bülow & Ole ‘Fessor’ Lindgreen – Jazz Inspirers of the Year
  Each receives DKK 25,000 from the Beckett Foundation

• Anne Efternøler – Innovator of the Year
  Receives DKK 30,000 from the William Demant Foundation

• Jon Albjerg Ravnholt – Communicator of the Year
  Receives DKK 20,000 from the William Demant Foundation

• Erik von Spreckelsen – The René Daugaard Grant
  Receives DKK 20,000 from the René Daugaard Grant

• Benita Haastrup – Children’s Jazz Award
  Receives DKK 30,000 from the Gangsted Foundation, along with a concert tour organized by LMS – Live Music in Schools

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Hosted by Naya Buric

Head of Music and radio host at DR P8 Jazz, Naya Buric will guide us through the evening’s performances and award presentations. With her captivating storytelling, she brings jazz to life and highlights the music and the prizewinners in a truly engaging way.

Join the celebration – get your ticket now!

Tickets are on sale. Buy ticket here.

About the Grant Recipients

Jazz Inspirer of the Year – Christina von Bülow

Christina von Bülow receives the Jazz Inspirer of the Year award for her deeply emotional, heartfelt, and imaginative music and playing style. She brings music to life in a way that transcends time. With supreme virtuosity and a profound understanding of the music, she effortlessly conveys color and atmosphere to the listener.

Her music is the result of deep love and intuition, touching and inspiring both audiences and fellow musicians. Christina has made a significant mark on the jazz world—especially at a time when women were significantly underrepresented in jazz, and when being a female musician was even more challenging than today. She stands as a powerful role model for the next generation of female artists.

Jazz Inspirer of the Year – Ole “Fessor” Lindgreen

Ole “Fessor” Lindgreen is honored for his lifelong and profound love of jazz and its essence. For decades, Fessor has performed at the highest level without ever compromising his accessibility or warmth—always driven by an undiminished desire to refine his craft and dive deeper into the music.

He has generously shared his joy and knowledge with jazz lovers across generations, building bridges with an open mind toward both musical convention and innovation. Fessor has played with countless jazz masters and has passionately passed on his knowledge through numerous bands and his long-standing experience as a bandleader.

Beyond his musical legacy, Fessor is also a trusted confidant, offering heartfelt and encouraging advice drawn from a life rich in experience and insight.

Communicator of the Year – Jon Albjerg Ravnholt

Jon Albjerg Ravnholt possesses an impressive depth of knowledge about niche music across a wide spectrum, with a particular expertise in jazz and how it reflects and communicates its cultural and societal context.

Jon has a rare ability to write with both precision and humor. Where many music journalists struggle to combine insight with lightness, Jon succeeds in delivering music criticism that is both illuminating and genuinely entertaining.

His reviews are rich with clever analogies and cross-references to other genres or phenomena, making his writing a pleasure to read—always thought-provoking and never dull.

Innovator of the Year – Anne Efternøler

Anne Efternøler is a rare and empathetic presence on the Danish jazz scene. Her tireless effort to bring jazz to new audiences—often in unconventional settings—is truly inspiring.

She breaks away from predictable instrumentation with bold, creative choices—like assembling a band featuring one trumpet and three double basses. Where many ensembles risk sounding generic regardless of jazz subgenre, Anne redefines the soundscape through curiosity and a fresh approach to arrangement.

A breakthrough doesn’t have to be about youth—it can just as well be about new formats or innovative ideas. That’s exactly the spirit Anne embodies, and that’s what we celebrate in her work.

René Daugaard Grant – Erik von Spreckelsen

Erik von Spreckelsen is one of Denmark’s leading jazz pianists, known for his profound exploration of improvisational jazz. He expresses himself with virtuosity and taste—an outcome of a lifelong commitment to his craft.

His open-minded musical approach makes him a sought-after collaborator, and his ability to bridge generations is remarkable. Erik is also a composer, producer, and educator, but for this occasion, we shine a spotlight on his exceptional talent as a pianist.

Children’s Jazz Award – Benita Haastrup

Benita Haastrup performs all her music with passion and presence, always meeting her audience at eye level—regardless of age or background.

Her performances are characterized by strong musicality, a deep sense of connection, and a keen intuition for the moment and space she occupies. She has redefined the concept of “children’s concerts” through her understanding of storytelling and interaction.

With projects like DrumDrum and Music for Bees, Benita shares her musical vision with audiences around the world. She is a living testament to what pure passion and dedication can achieve.

The award ceremony is a collaboration between Tivoli and Jazz Danmark.

Tivoli Jazzpris was created by Tivoli and Jazz Danmark to celebrate outstanding achievements in jazz through a series of grants made possible by funding from the William Demant Foundation, the Gangsted Foundation, the Beckett Foundation, and the legacy of René ‘Jean René’ Daugaard. The Tivoli Jazz Prize has existed in its current form since 2023.

Event details:
Date: Wednesday, September 3rd, 7:00–8:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Venue: Glassalen, Tivoli
Price: DKK 195, including ticket fee and admission to Tivoli. Buy ticket here.