Scofield, The Thing, Mehldau, Kajfes and Mozdzer among the new names for 2012

11/05

Copenhagen Jazz Festival adds a bunch of new names to this summer’s festival that includes major acts as well as rising stars with new visions for what jazz should sound like in the 21st century.

Scofield and Mehldau
Among the newly added major acts is American guitar legend John Scofield, who is on tour this summer with his younger colleague Kurt Rosenwinkel as part of his new Hollowbody Band. Focusing on the instrument that Scofield master so well, the Hollowbody Band explores the huge tonal palette the guitar has to offer. The Hollowbody Band plays Gamle Scene on July 13.

On the bill for Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2012 too is piano icon Brad Mehldau (US), whose trio with Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums has pushed the barriers for what can be expressed in this classic jazz formation. Jazz lovers around the world has long ago taken to the trio and Denmark is no exception: In less than a decade the trios audience has grown from jazz club size to a size suitable for Gamle Scene at The Royal Theater – the city’s most prominent jazz venue.

Three Scandinavian acts, Jazz Po Polsku, and more
The line-up additions also include three young, award winning Scandinavian acts with new takes on the jazz idiom. On July 10, Sweden’s impro master Mats Gustafsson and his band The Thing will take the stage at Jazzhouse in a highly surprising collaboration with Swedish pop star Neneh Cherry. Also at Jazzhouse, Swedish-born Croatian trumpeter Goran Kajfes, who was awarded with The Nordic Music Prize 2012, will sound his instrument on July 11, while acclaimed Danish guitarplayer Jakob Bro, known for his collaboration with Tomasz Stanko, Paul Motian and Lee Konitz, will premiere his new trio featuring Thomas Morgan (US) on bass and ECM-legend Jon Christensen (NO) on drums at Hofteatret on July 7 and July 8.

During the festival, Jazzhouse and Huset will present an exciting mix of newcomers and international stars. At Jazzhouse trumpeter Dave Douglas and saxophonist Joe Lovano will pay a two-night tribute to legendary sax player Wayne Shorter consisting of compositions either inspired or written by the master himself. Jazzhouse will also lend its stage to English Portico Quartet and American trumpeter and rising star Ambrose Akinmusire, while at Huset one can experience the eminent pianist Leszek Mozdzer as part of a new polish theme, “Jazz Po Polsku”.

The complette programme will be announced on May 24. Tickets go on sale shortly.

Additions to the festival line-up:

July 7, The Royal Theater / Gamle Scene: Brad Mehldau Trio (US). TICKETS
July 13, The Royal Theater / Gamle Scene: The John Scofield Hollowbody Band (US) + support: Girls In Airports (DK) TICKETS

July 7 + 8, Hofteatret: Jakob Bro Trio feat. Thomas Morgan & Jon Christensen (DK/US/NO)

July 6, Jazzhouse: Ambrose Akinmusire (US)
July 8 + 9. Jazzhouse: Joe Lovano/Dave Douglas Quintet
July 10, Jazzhouse: Neneh Cherry & The Thing (SE/NO)
July 11, Jazzhouse: Goran Kajfes “X/Y” (SE)
July 12, Jazzhouse : Portico Quartet (UK)

July 13, Huset: Leszek Mozdzer (PL)

Find more info on the shows at Jazzhouse here.