How can we ensure that Denmark’s rich jazz history is preserved and remains vibrant for future generations? Join us for the Danish Jazz 100 Years seminar on May 6 in Aarhus! We have put together a program featuring three different perspectives on jazz history and its future, inviting both discussion and inspiration.

The seminar is part of the Danish Jazz 100 Years project and will take place at Dokk1 in Aarhus on Tuesday, May 6, from 11 AM to 4 PM (including lunch). The registration deadline is April 29. Sign up here.

Program

Ole Bisbjerg: Mapping the Danish jazz collections

The preservation and dissemination of Danish jazz history is currently highly fragmented, spread across various institutions in Denmark and Europe, as well as among private collectors. Former state librarian Ole Bisbjerg presents a first look at his mapping of Danish jazz collections and introduces a forthcoming guide designed to assist researchers, musicians, and historians. The presentation will be followed by a workshop/discussion.

Annette Saxe: Playing my own part

Annette Saxe shares her experiences and reflections on being the only female instrumentalist in the DR Big Band for 25 years—spanning a quarter of Denmark’s jazz history. How does one navigate a male-dominated industry while both performing and preserving a cultural heritage shaped largely by men?

Mikkel Rønnau: From Dangerous Sounds to Dangerous Birds

Podcast producer Mikkel Rønnau (MonoMono) explores the power of podcasts as a medium for communicating jazz history. He shares insights from the acclaimed podcast series Dangerous Sounds and offers a sneak peek at his new project, Farlige Fugle (Dangerous Birds). Dangerous Sounds, broadcast by DR, has even been translated into English for the NPR-affiliated radio station WRTI.

Join the celebration of jazz history and put it on the political agenda

Danish jazz is vibrant, dynamic, and internationally recognized. As we mark its 100-year history, now is the time to secure its place in collective memory and on the cultural policy agenda. Jazz deserves stronger support in public budgets, from foundations, music lovers, and the Danish public as a whole.

The Danish Jazz 100 Years project actively works to strengthen this effort—and you can be part of it. At the seminar, you can share your thoughts and ideas while also contributing to the major umbrella event in 2026, where we will bring together key players across the jazz community to celebrate its history and shape its future.

Read more about the initiative here. We will soon open another registration round for organizers!

Participation & Registration

Participation is free, but registration is required.

Time
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 11 AM to 4 PM – JazzDanmark provides lunch.

Location
Dokk1, Hack Kampmanns Plads 2, 8000 Aarhus C

Registration
Register for the seminar via this link – deadline April 29.

The seminar is presented by JazzDanmark in collaboration with Dokk1, the Center for Danish Jazz History, and Aarhus Jazz Festival. Danish Jazz 100 Years is supported by the Augustinus Foundation and the Danish Arts Foundation.