Summer Session China kicks off!

As part of the Munyun Aranya First International Jazz Week, JazzDanmark has been invited to China to recreate the popular and long-standing summer school concept, Summer Session—a jazz gathering for professional musicians that has been held in Denmark since 1971. Led by a Danish folk high school faculty, with Chinese participants and Danish musicians, the event takes place this week at the Aranya resort in the coastal city of Qinhuangdao in northern China.

Bridging age, skill level, geography, and language

Summer Session China is all about creating new musical connections, fostering inspiration, and being inspired. The project aims to introduce the open-minded mentality and high artistic level that define the Danish jazz scene. More than 40 Chinese musicians of all ages are participating, along with four specially invited Danish musicians, selected through an open call earlier this year.

The four Danish musicians are Henrik Holst Hansen and Jakob Roland, who together form the duo ArtRoho, as well as Anna Prinds and Laurits Steen Møberg, known as the duo Tigeroak. The faculty consists of five musicians with strong ties to the Danish jazz scene: Nikolaj Hess, Anders AC, Kasper Tranberg, Ned Ferm, and Cornelia Nilsson.

Danish leadership ensures the unique Summer Session spirit

JazzDanmark’s Chinese partner for the event, Zhang YouDai, has attended Summer Session in Denmark multiple times and was inspired by the Danish democratic teaching model, where teachers and students interact as equals—both in the classroom and at mealtimes. When he proposed creating a Chinese edition of Summer Session, JazzDanmark prioritized ensuring that the leadership had in-depth knowledge of the Danish gathering.

It was therefore a natural choice for Anders AC Christensen and Nikolaj Hess—who also lead the Danish event—to take on the role of faculty heads in China. The program includes morning singing, communal dining, masterclasses, and ensemble playing, while the evenings feature mini-concerts and jam sessions where students and faculty perform side by side well into the early hours.

Summer Session China takes place from October 10–15 in Aranya, Qinhuangdao. The faculty and Danish participants have been selected by JazzDanmark in collaboration with Zhang YouDai and Anders AC Christensen.

Part of a new ambitious jazz festival

Summer Session China takes place during the new jazz festival Aranya International Jazz Week, which aims to create an environment for international jazz musicians at the newly built coastal resort Aranya in the city of Qinhuangdao. The festival is organized by Jazz Aranya, led by Zhang Youdai, and is inspired by his many visits to Denmark during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. The festival works in tandem with Summer Session China, as the faculty and participating students will perform concerts around Aranya throughout the week.

Program for Aranya International Jazz Week:

• October 10: Tigeroak @ Qixing Camp, Aranya, Qinhuangdao
• October 11: Faculty Concert @ Beehive Theater, Aranya, Qinhuangdao
• October 12: Nikolaj Hess Solo @ Lonely Theater, Aranya, Qinhuangdao
• October 13 (early): Kasper Tranberg Solo @ Art Center Aranya, Qinhuangdao
• October 13 (late): ArtRoho @ Qixing Camp, Aranya, Qinhuangdao
• October 14: AC/Ferm/Nilsson @ Art Center Aranya, Qinhuangdao
• October 15: Farewell Concert with Danish faculty and students @ Breeze Bar, Aranya, Qinhuangdao