Running annually since 1979, the Copenhagen Jazz Festival is the major jazz event of the year in Copenhagen as well as an internationally-recognised platform for musicians from all over the world.
This year’s festival takes place 3 – 12 July in venues all over the city, everywhere from The Standard to Kayak Bar to open-air events.
There are hundreds of shows to sift through, so here’s a tiny smattering of what we’re excited to see at 120 DKK or less:
Kjeld Lauritsen ft. Nellie Ettison and Miriam Mandipira
A treat for jazz & blues fans, see Lauritsen on Hammond Organ along with Peter Gade on guitar. Singers Nellie Jettison and Miriam Mandipira join them for what’s sure to be a fun set!
Sunday 5th July
2:00 pm
Nyhavns Mindeanker
Ticket price: Free!
Jazz, Reconstructed
See three excellent pianists perform during this intimate series of concerts. First up is Søren Gemmer Quartet, led by pianist and composer Søren Gemmer. Get ready for classic jazz with a modern, melodic twist. Second in the line-up is Kristian Marstal’s solo show; traditional jazz piano combined with electronic beats. Finally, conductor, composer and pianist Christian Balvig presents his quartet Steams of Eyebeams. They’ll be playing chamber-jazz; classic chamber music disrupted by modern jazz sounds.
Sunday 5th July
7:00 – 11:00 pm
LiteraturHus
Møllegade 7
2200 København N
Ticket price: 60 DKK/concert, 100 DKK for the whole evening
Francesco Cigna
An intimate solo show from jazz guitarist Cigna is only made better by a cosy location like Bevar’s. Round up some friends, get some beers and enjoy a bit of standard jazz hygge.
Tuesday 7th July
5:00 pm
Bevar’s
Ravnsborggade 10B
2200 København N
Ticket price: Free!
Eve Risser & The White Desert Orchestra
French experimental jazz multi-talent Eve Risser performs with the White Desert Orchestra, a project meant to interpret in sound the abyss of Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Sure to be beautiful and interesting.
Thursday 9th July
8:00 pm
Kulturhuset Islands Brygge
Islands Brygge 18
2300 København S
Ticket price: 120 DKK
Tully Boris III
Expressive modern jazz trio (keyboard/synth, drums and trumpet) including electronic beats and improvisation. A fun, exciting show in a really special location; highly recommended!
Friday 10th July
8:00 – 9:00 pm
KoncertKirken
Blågårds Plads 6A
2200 København N
Ticket price: 50 DKK
The Cuban Grand Finale ft. Eliel Lazo
A unique blend of musical genres with a focus on salsa rhythms. Come enjoy this creative take on Cuban Jazz led by the mega-talented Lazo.
Sunday July 12th
7:00 pm
Balders Plads
2200 København N
Ticket price: Free!
Did we miss a show that you’re looking forward to? Probably, since there’s about a billion of them. Share it in the comments!
Header image is Orlando Julius & The Heliocentrics, who you can also see at the festival on Thursday 9th July at Pressen, Politikens Hus (sneaky 7th recommendation, you guys!)