“Copenhagen is a wonderful, wonderful place to get lost in, especially when the cause is jazz. Newcomers to the city, and to the seductive, seasoned Copenhagen Jazz Festival-up to its 32nd edition this summer-will find before them an almost dizzying density of a program, which extends to multiple venues all over the city." —JazzTimes, 2010
“The Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a varied extravaganza that leans from the summer festival blockbusters and makes sure to demonstrate diversity" —DownBeat, 2009
The 2011 Copenhagen Jazz Festival, July 1-10, Announces: The Sound of Africa and 21st Century Jazz
Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Koncerthuset present an exclusive solo concert with vocalist Bobby McFerrin at The Concert Hall on July 5!
10 DAYS, 100 VENUES, 1000 SHOWS!
Copenhagen Jazz Festival presents a number of the artists to appear at the 33rd edition of the festival.
Several venues, including Jazzhus Montmartre, Tivoli and Prøvehallen, have already released their festival programs—the details can be found in our festival calendar—and with top names like Keith Jarrett, Sonny Rollins, Mike Stern, Dave Douglas and Lyle Lovett confirmed and exciting names released from the US, Denmark and Africa, the picture of this year's festival is starting to emerge.
The Sound of Africa
A new initiative this year is a special Africa theme, which will take place in Pressen, where festival goers can experience the West African vocal queen, Oumou Sangaré, a superstar in her home country, Mali. Oumou Sangaré has fascinated a world-wide audience with her often socially critical songs and a very unique voice, which has earned her the name “The Songbird from Wassoulou."
As part of the African theme the South African piano icon, Abdullah Ibrahim, and his critic praised septet 'Ekaya'—which in its original make-up recorded ground-breaking albums like “African River" and “Capetown Flowers" back in the 1990s—will also appear at Pressen. Ibrahim is South Africa's most important contribution to the history of jazz and is known and loved worldwide for his melodious compositions and piano playing, which exudes the beautiful South African countryside.
“Giants still walk the earth, and Abdullah Ibrahim is one of them ... an authority that is almost regal."—Newsday
Jazz By The Sea with an international profile
Again this year festival guests will be able to enjoy outdoor evening “Jazz By The Sea" concerts by Kulturhuset Islands Brygge. Audiences can experience a new cooperation between the avant-groove trio, Medeski, Martin & Wood, as well as the two jazz-funk (soulbop) pioneers, trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Bill Evans (formerly with Miles Davis). Jazz By The Sea also offers the chance to experience an exciting meeting between one of the hottest electric bass players of our time, Richard Bona, and newly discovered guitar phenomenon, Raul Midón.
On top of that Festival guests can meet trend-setting vibraphone virtuoso Gary Burton (again), spend an evening with saxophonist Bunky Green, and experience an exclusive duo concert with pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Joshua Redman—as well as listen to completely new material from the highly talented vocalist Gretchen Parlato.
More information about tickets, venues and times will be announced shortly.
Keep checking the Copenhagen Jazz Festival homepage, www.Jazz.dk during the month of May for the newest artist releases and up-to-date festival information. You can also subscribe to our newsletter or find us on www.facebook.com/cphjazzfestival
Copenhagen Jazz Festival takes place from the 1st to the 10th of July. The festival has existed since 1979, and today it is visited by 25,000 guests every year, with more than 100 venues presenting a total of over 1000 concerts during these ten days
July 3, 9:00 PM @ Copenhagen JazzHouse: The New Gary Burton Quartet (US) Gary Burton (vibes), Julian Lage (gtr), Scott Colley (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums) July 5, 9:00 PM @ Copenhagen JazzHouse: Bunky Green with Osgood, Anderskov & Davidsen (US/DK) Bunky Green (saxophones), Jakob Anderskov (piano), Nils Davidsen (bass), Kresten Osgood (drums)
The Sound of Africa:
July 2, 8:30 PM @ Pressen, Politikens Hus: Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya (ZA, US) Abdullah Ibrahim (piano), Cleave Guyton (alto sax, flute), Keith Loftis (tenor sax), Andrae Murchison (trombone), Jason Marshall (baritone sax), Belden Bullock (bass), George Gray (drums)
July 5, 8:30 PM @ Pressen, Politikens Hus: Oumou Sangaré (ML) Oumou Sangaré (vocals), Souleymane Sidibe (caleb), Sekou Bah (bass), Hamane Toure (guitar), Cheick Oumar Diabate (djembe), Amadou Traore (flute), Dandio Sidibe, Djelika Fatoumata (vocals), Brehima Diakite (kamalen kòni), Zoumana Tereta (vl), Aliou Dante (drums)
Giant Jazz:
July 3, 7:00 PM @ The Royal Danish Theatre Old Stage: Sonny Rollins, with Peter Bernstein (guitar), Sammy Figueroa (percussion), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Kobie Watkins (drums) Legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins will pay a visit Copenhagen Jazz Festival, July 3rd, 2011. The 80-year-old Saxophone Colussus returns to Copenhagen for the first time since the mid 90's, however to judge from recent reviews, Rollins is still playing with unbelievable stamina and vitality. The concert takes place the first weekend of the festival, July 3rd, in the unique surroundings of The Royal Danish Theater, Old Stage. Performing with Sonny Rollins is his new quintet with Peter Bernstein (guitar), Sammy Figueroa (percussion), Bob Cranshaw (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums).
July 5, 8:00 PM @ The Concert Hall: An exclusive solo concert with vocalist Bobby McFerrin The beautiful Concert Hall with its great acoustics makes the perfect setting for the concert with this multi-faceted artist. The concert will take place during this year's Copenhagen Jazz festival and is part of the festival's most prestigious theme, Giant Jazz, alongside Sonny Rollins and Keith Jarrett.
July 9, 8:00 PM @ Operaen: Keith Jarrett Trio Featuring Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock & Jack DeJohnette (SOLD OUT!)
Other Notable Concerts Recently Announced:
July 3, 8:00 PM @ Amager Bio: Leon Russell is A legendary musician from Tulsa who has been performing his gospel- infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music for more than 50 years
July 2, 8:00 PM @ Tivolis Koncertsal: “Sing The Truth" with Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves & Lizz Wright Sing The Truth was originally a concert for the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall in honor and memory of Nina Simone in 2004. In 2008 Sing The Truth became a much-praised touring concept performed at several Jazz Festivals. Today Sing The Truth consists of world renowned talents such as Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright
July 6 @ Jazz By The Sea: Randy Brecker & Bill Evans—Soulbop, featuring Medeski, Martin and Wood
July 6 + 7 @ Prøvehallen Dave Douglas & Kenny Werner Quartet
July 7, 8:00 PM @ Kulturhuset Viften: Mike Stern Band with Special Guest Didier Lockwood, featuring Dave Weckl & Tom Kennedy
July 8 @ Koncerthuset: Lyle Lovett
July 8 @ Skuespilhuset: Brad Mehldau & Joshua Redman
July 8 @ Kulturhuset Viften: The Syndicate (formerly The Zawinul Syndicate)
July 9 @ Jazz By The Sea: Raul Midón & Richard Bona
July 9 @ Skuespilhuset: Gretchen Parlato “Lost and Found" + Jakob Bro Trio Featuring Bill McHenry
July 9 @ Christians Kirke: Lisa Ekdahl
The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, now in its 33rd year, and one of the largest and most ambitious events of its kind, will once again become the center of the jazz world for the first ten days of July (1-10), as over a quarter of a million people descend on the city to enjoy the staggering multitude of events that takes place in every corner of the beautiful Danish capital.
The Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a massive rendezvous for jazz fans, music enthusiasts, and culturally-minded people that wish to experience not only the music, but the charm, history and distinct character that make up a dense, urban fabric. During the Festival you are never far from amazing music; and never far from green spaces, a gorgeous harbor clean enough to swim in, endless miles of bike paths, world class museums, and critically- acclaimed cafes and restaurants (including Noma, named The World's Best Restauant in 2010), all combining to make Copenhagen a pulsating metropolitan capital full of contrast and surprise.
The Copenhagen Jazz Festival is an event befitting the largest city in Scandanavia. Every day of the year Copenhagen is a bustling center of culture; during the Festival this activity reaches a fever pitch. Few other festivals in the world can boast the stylistic diversity offered in Copenhagen each July, a programming approach that has been the basis for its thirty-plus years of success. With 10 days-100 venues-1000 shows, the 2011 Festival will have something on offer for everyone, from experimental, free and avante garde, to jazz in its more traditional vain, and everything in between. The choice of venue is equally as diverse, from classic concert halls such as The Copenhagen Opera House (Operaen) to the city's famous jazz clubs such as the Copenhagen JazzHouse, and seemingly every open space of the city converted into a Festival venue.
VISITING THE 2011 COPENHAGEN JAZZ FESTIVAL:
By plane Copenhagen international airport is easy to reach from various destinations all over the world. To compare airfares and book the most economical flights to Copenhagen check out search engines such as Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com orKayak.com
By train or bus If you are travelling from the European continent there are several ways to reach Copenhagen by train or bus. For more information on travel and transport check the official tourist site.
Stay at a Scandic-hotel during the festival. Scandic is the official hotel partner and offers discounted rates and concerts at the hotels situated in the city center. Choose between four hotels within the city center location.
Getting around Copenhagen is a small city and it is easy to get around either by metro, bus or do as the Danes—by bicycle. Just grab a free Citybike from one of the 110 bike- racks from the centre of the city.
Save money The Copenhagen Card gives you free entry to 65 museums and attractions throughout the Greater Copenhagen Region including free entrance to Tivoli. Furthermore, cOPENhagen CARD gives you free transport by train, bus and Metro.
Get the full picture The Copenhagen Jazz Festival Program is a 146 pages booklet in English which gives you a complete guide to the festival's more than 1000 concerts dispersed over the entire city at a record number of venues.
For more information contact Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity.
