One of Copenhagen’s oldest and most respected festivals, the Copenhagen Jazz Festival boasts an impressive line-up and almost too many concerts to count. In addition to gigs, you can attend workshops and other jazz-focused events held all over the city. Many performances are free, making it possible to see some excellent jazz that may otherwise be inaccessible during the rest of the year. Copenhagen is a city that loves its jazz, and the festival reflects that with it’s all-embracing attitude.
The program is huge, so let us get you started with a list of recommendations for this year’s Copenhagen Jazz Festival:
Children’s Drum Workshop
Fun for children of all ages, this drumming workshop is run by master drummer Sylvester Agbedoglo. Kids will be able to drum and clap along as they learn about and experience new rhythms.
Friday 7 July 11:00 am
Husets Teater
Halmtorvet 9
1700 København V
Ticket Price: 40 DKK/child, 60 DKK/adult
NB: Buy tickets at the door
The Ultimate Jazz Party
If you’re looking for a full weekend of jazz in a seaside mansion (that’s a very specific desire but we can get behind it!), this is for you. Artists like Brian McKnight, David Sanborn and Amanda Thompsen will be playing intimate concerts, plus there’s an outrageous array of food experiences awaiting you, including an all-day champagne, oysters and caviar bar. Definitely not the least expensive ticket at this year’s festival, but something special to be sure.
Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 July, begins at 3:00 pm
SØLYST
Emiliekildevej 2
2930 Klampenborg
Ticket Price:
1 Day (3 concerts): 595 DKK
2 Day (6 concerts): 1,025 DKK
Saturday VIP: 3,500 DKK includes Saturday day ticket + VIP Dinner & Late Night Event
Sunday Lunch: 1,000 DKK includes Sunday day ticket + 3 course lunch with wine pairing and coffee/tea
Alain Apaloo
Well known around Copenhagen for his incredible fusion of afro, blues and jazz, Alain Apaloo is one of the best local acts to catch during the festival. If you miss him here, don’t worry; he plays bi-monthly at Mojo Blues Bar with his band Twin Tribe, and often plays solo shows around the city.
Monday 10 July 5:00 pm
Husets Teater
Halmtorvet 9
1700 København V
Ticket Price: 100 DKK/regular, 50 DKK/student
MONO Plays Thelonious – Monk Turns 100
Celebrate the 100 year birthday of master jazz composer and pianist Thelonious Monk with an interpretation of his works by trio MONO. The setting in Nørrebro is small, so get there early!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-aDFlMIglg
Tuesday 11 July 8:30 pm
Gaarden og Gaden
Nørrebrogade 88
2200 København N
Ticket Price: 100 DKK
Erykah Badu at Tivoli
See the iconic American R’n’B-meets-soul-meets-jazz singer in her first performance in Denmark since 2009. It takes place at Plænen, which means its open-air and you can watch for only the price of a Tivoli entrance ticket!
Friday 14 July 10:00 pm
Tivoli
Vesterbrogade 3
1630 København V
Ticket Price: Free with entrance to Tivoli, 120 DKK
La Fontaine Nights – Jam Session
End Copenhagen Jazz Festival right with a raucous jam session featuring some of the best Danish musicians on the scene. La Fontaine’s
Sunday 16 July 11:45 pm
La Fontaine
Kompagnistræde 11
1208 København K
Ticket Price: 50 DKK at the door
Cover image by Gorm Valentin. See more of his photographs at Blaa Galleri on Blågårds Plads from 6 – 22 July.
See the full program for Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2017.