The celebration of 100 years of Danish jazz in 2026 will culminate in the large-scale work 100 Stemmer – composed by Anders Malta and performed by 100 jazz musicians from across the country.

Danish jazz audiences will be able to experience 100 Stemmer at the opening concerts of Copenhagen Jazz Festival at DR Koncerthuset and Aarhus Jazz Festival at Musikhuset Aarhus. It will be a rare musical event capturing the full breadth of Danish jazz – from its roots to the present day.

A living portrait of Danish jazz

100 Stemmer brings together musicians across generations, genders, regions, and the many expressions of jazz. Composer Anders Malta created the work specifically for the anniversary, with a focus on both tradition and renewal.

Through a dynamic composition shaped in collaboration with many of the participating musicians – where classical notation meets graphic scores, conducted passages, and free improvisation – a vivid and sensory soundscape emerges. Smaller ensembles rise out of the larger whole, and the music moves from intimate moments to powerful collective sonic landscapes.

100 years in motion

Ever since Valdemar Eiberg formed one of Denmark’s first jazz orchestras in the 1920s, jazz has been a driving force in Danish cultural life. Today, Denmark is internationally recognised as a strong jazz nation with room for both tradition and experimentation.

With 100 Stemmer, history is brought to life – while simultaneously being carried forward. The work reflects the evolution and diversity of jazz and presents an art form in constant motion. Jazz is community, dialogue, and freedom. These very values form the core of the work and of the culture that, for 100 years, has made jazz a vital part of Danish identity.

Experience the work in Aarhus and Copenhagen

100 Stemmer will be performed as the opening concert of both Aarhus Jazz Festival and Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2026.

27 June at 16:00
Musikhuset Aarhus
Thomas Jensens Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus
Admission: DKK 100
Buy tickets here

3 July at 17:00
Opening of Copenhagen Jazz Festival
DR Koncerthuset
Ørestads Boulevard 13, 2300 Copenhagen S
Free admission

A broadly anchored project

100 Stemmer is part of Dansk Jazz 100 År and is realised through a collaboration between Anders Malta Musik, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Aarhus Jazz Festival, DR Koncerthuset, Musikhuset Aarhus, Jazz Danmark, and Dansk Jazzmusiker Forening.

The project is supported by Augustinus Fonden, Knud Højgaards Fond, William Demant Fonden, Ben Webster Fonden, Dansk Tennis Fond, Koda Kultur, A.P. Møllers Fond, Kapelmesterforeningen, Toyota Fonden, Nordjyllandsfonden, Ernst B. Sund Fonden, and Dansk Musiker Forbund.

Newly published survey maps the Danish jazz heritage landscape

On 30 April, Kortlægning af de Danske Jazzsamlinger was published — also as part of the Dansk Jazz 100 År project. The survey covers 64 collections, ranging from private enthusiasts to established institutions such as Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Danmarks Radio, and Center for Dansk Jazzhistorie. Together, the collections contain concert recordings, album releases, photographs, sheet music, articles, and personal archives documenting a century of Danish jazz history.

Read more about Kortlægning af de Danske Jazzsamlinger here.

Follow Jazz Danmark’s website, newsletter, and social media channels for ongoing updates on initiatives and events under the Dansk Jazz 100 År umbrella.