Iconic Surroundings

After hosting last year’s show at Musikhuset in Aarhus, the Danish Music Awards Jazz returns to Copenhagen. This year’s event will take place at VEGA, the country’s largest concert venue for rhythmic music.

The venue not only highlights stars and emerging talent in rhythmic music but also embodies living history, thanks to Vilhelm Lauritzen’s stunning architecture and the building’s legacy as a hub for the labor movement. This fusion of past, present, and future perfectly mirrors DMA Jazz’s ethos in a year that celebrates the storied genre with a program brimming with innovative and forward-thinking music.

Karen Mukupa as the New Host

DMA Jazz 2023 isn’t just bringing new surroundings but also a new host. This year marks Karen Mukupa’s debut as the show’s presenter. Known as a musician and radio host, Mukupa is a prominent figure on the Danish hip-hop scene and recently released her first album in ten years, Bonobo.

The album has been hailed as her best work to date, and in August, she was honored with the Autor’s Award. Additionally, Mukupa recently added a new title to her résumé as a host on P8 Jazz. Combining musical passion, extensive experience, and fresh energy, Karen Mukupa is set to lead DMA Jazz 2023 on December 5th.

A Star-Studded Jazz Lineup

Selvhenter: A cornerstone of Denmark’s experimental music scene, Selvhenter released their new album Mesmerizer in June after several years of silence. Expect the unexpected as they deliver experimental jazz at its finest.

Viktoria Søndergaard & Marilyn Mazur: Young vibraphonist Viktoria Søndergaard has skyrocketed to fame as a rising star, winning multiple awards in 2022. She will perform alongside Danish jazz icon Marilyn Mazur, presenting newly composed music created especially for DMA Jazz.

Nana Rashid: Praised for her album Music for Betty, which received 5-star reviews from Politiken and Gaffa, Rashid will perform her soulful jazz with the trio Little North.

Daimi & Louisiana Jazzband: Renowned for her career spanning back to the 1960s, Daimi will bring timeless jazz to the stage alongside the Louisiana Jazzband, featuring saxophonist Jesper Løvdal and trumpeter Mårten Lundgren.

KALEIIDO: Guitarist Anna Roemer and saxophonist Cecilie Strange, known for their ambient jazz, will perform selections from their acclaimed album Elements.

Richard Andersson: Known for his praised project U·Synlig, Andersson will perform a solo bass improvisation in complete darkness, offering a deeply immersive and poetic experience.

A Multitude of Awards

The DMA Jazz Academy is currently deliberating on the winners of seven main awards:

Jazz Album of the Year
Vocal Jazz Album of the Year
New Jazz Artist of the Year
Jazz Composer of the Year
Experimental Release of the Year
Cross-Aesthetic Release of the Year
Single of the Year

In addition, special awards like the P8 Jazz Prize for Passion and the JazzDanmark Award for Concert Experience of the Year will also be presented.

Afterparty with JazzHouse, Jazz+, and Children’s Jazz Prize

The evening concludes with a vibrant afterparty in Lille VEGA, organized by the young volunteers of JazzHouse from Kolding. Known for their legendary summer festival, they promise to bring their magic to Copenhagen.

The industry-oriented Jazz+ program, introduced last year, will return with panel discussions, workshops, and more. Keep an eye on jazzdanmark.dk for updates.

DMA Jazz also recognizes musicians dedicated to jazz for children through the Children’s Jazz Prize, which will be awarded at a separate event on November 16th in Odense and celebrated at Store VEGA during DMA Jazz.

Join DMA Jazz 2023 at Store VEGA

Date: Tuesday, December 5th
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Location: VEGA – Musikkens Hus, Enghavevej 40, 1674 Copenhagen V
Tickets: 220 DKK + fee

The show will be broadcast live on DR P8 Jazz.

Organizers: JazzDanmark and VEGA
Partners: VEGA, Jazz i Trekanten, P8 Jazz, LMS
Supporters: Funded by JazzDanmark and the Danish Arts Foundation. Additional contributors to be announced.