Kathrine Windfeld, Antistatic, and Jesper Thorn have been chosen as the final participants in Jazz Danmark’s Freundschaft project. Over the next two years, they will receive support to strengthen their presence in the German, Swiss, and Austrian music markets. They now join Marcela Lucatelli, Svaneborg Kardyb, and Makiko Hirabayashi, who were selected for Freundschaft last year.

Launched in 2024, the Freundschaft project gives six selected artists the opportunity to develop their vision and career plans in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Each program runs for two years, concluding in early 2027.

The Freundschaft project builds on previous Jazz Danmark initiatives, such as Danish Vibes and Neustart. Read more about Freundschaft here.

Sophisticated harmony, percussive repetition, and Nordic melancholy

As in previous years, the final participants were selected by an international panel of industry professionals from the target countries, along with a representative from Jazz Danmark’s secretariat. Musically, the participants cover a broad spectrum, representing both Nordic jazz traditions and genre-defying minimalism. Read more about the participants below.

Kathrine Windfeld

Kathrine Windfeld’s compositions are described as a fusion of power and elegance—explosive arrangements filled with sophisticated harmonies, grooves, and poetic ballads. Her sextet, consisting of virtuoso Scandinavian and Polish musicians, performs Windfeld’s compositions with both finesse and drive. In addition to leading her sextet and big band, Windfeld is a sought-after guest composer and has collaborated with renowned ensembles such as the Frankfurt Radio Big Band (DE), DR Big Band, and Espinho Jazz Orchestra (PT). Read more here.

Antistatic

Antistatic’s instrumental music redefines traditional band conventions by using guitars as percussion and allowing the drums to “sing” with dissonant feedback. The band explores rhythm and patience with both curiosity and intent, creating space for deep rhythmic immersion. Their debut album, Relics, was released in 2024 on the legendary American label Cuneiform Records. Read more here.

Jesper Thorn

Bassist Jesper Thorn is known for his deeply personal, introspective, and soul-searching sound. His latest release, Dragør, was nominated for DMA Jazz – Jazz Album of the Year (2024), while its predecessor, Boy, earned him the award for Jazz Composer of the Year. Thorn’s melancholic and intricately detailed compositions are rooted in the Nordic jazz tradition. He has released three albums under his own name and has also collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Ralph Alessi, August Rosenbaum, and writer Søren Ulrik Thomsen. Read more here.