Excitement in the Jazz City of Kolding

Close to 270 audience members gathered on Friday evening for the final concert and grand finale of Jazz Danmark’s talent development program, Jazzkonkurrencen. It was the first time the final was held in Kolding, and the large audience got to hear three promising takes on new Danish jazz in 2025 from the participating bands: Sandløber, Veronika Rud Quartet, and Zinssou Quartet. The latter ultimately convinced the jury that they deserved to win Jazzkonkurrencen 2025.

Potential and Determination

The jury for the evening consisted of Mette Marie Ørnstrup, Tobias Andreassen, and Sofie Kallan. They emphasized that the young quartet demonstrated presence, a desire to experiment, and delivered a varied set and strong compositions. “This is a group with great potential,” the jury concluded in their statement, before the room erupted in applause and the winners received their prizes and a well-deserved tribute.

Zinssou Quartet left Kolding with a prize of DKK 10,000, a headliner concert and a two-day residency in Kolding, courtesy of Jazz6000 and Godset, as well as an EP recording at The HideOut Studio in Aalborg.

About Jazzkonkurrencen

Jazzkonkurrencen focuses on the development of young jazz musicians by offering them opportunities to perform live at professional venues, receive professional feedback on their music, get coaching, and gain exposure through P8 Jazz. The winner receives DKK 10,000 for a self-chosen project, coordinated with Jazz Danmark. Additionally, the winner of Jazzkonkurrencen is given a unique opportunity to record an EP with professional mixing and mastering at The HideOut Studio, sponsored by the studio itself.

Jazzkonkurrencen is organized and run by Jazz Danmark in close collaboration with four partners: Huset in Aalborg, Jazz6000 in Kolding, Musikhuset Dexter in Odense, and Alice in Copenhagen. Jazzkonkurrencen is primarily funded by the Gangsted Foundation