The most beautiful concert hall in the city, The Royal Theatre Old Stage, and the city’s dynamic new space, Koncerthuset, are the settings for the jazz festival’s premiere theme: the Concert Hall Events Series.
Up until last year, the main theme, and the festival’s longest running theme, was called ‘Giant Jazz’. Artists such as Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett have performed under this banner. However, the name itself has proven to be problematic as critics have questioned if the artists are ‘giant’ or ‘jazz’ enough.
Liberated from this label, musical director Kenneth Hansen has still pieced together a prestigious array of artists who brilliantly lead the festival’s programme. However Hansen has not followed in the direction of many other jazz festivals which have pop, rock or hip-hop artists as their headliners.
“It is important to believe in the great jazz names like Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins or Keith Jarrett, and that they are the best you can present,” said Hansen. “You have to believe in this. If you start inviting pop and rock names, then they become the biggest thing, and the jazz names you should have believed in become secondary. The audience recognises that you don’t believe in it anymore, and the jazz festival is no longer a jazz festival.”
TOP PICKS
The John Scofield
Hollowbody Band
John Scofield is a modern jazz guitar legend who has recorded and played alongside the greatest names in jazz. Adept at playing bebop, blues, funk, or any brand of high-quality music, he is considered a giant among his peers and is still producing music with a sensitive and soulful treatment. He returns to Copenhagen after his lively 2009 open-air concert at Det Konglige Danske Haveselskab. This time, he is joined by his Hollowbody Band featuring the great young jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. It will be an evening filled with the very best of music, including a young Danish opening band, Girls in Airports.
The Royal Danish Theatre, Gamle Scene, Kongens Nytorv, Cph K; Friday July 13, 21:00; tickets 150-400kr, 3369 6969, www.kglteater.dk
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Brad Mehldau Trio
Brad Mehldau, one of the most recognisable young names in jazz, has been a regular performer at Copenhagen Jazz Festival. He has performed at venues all over the city – as a solo artist, in a duet, and this time again with his long-time trio featuring Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums. Their last performance at the jazz festival at Tivoli Glassalen was one of the most blistering performances in recent memory, with multiple encores more exhilarating than any of the rollercoasters outside the concert hall. For the first time, Mehldau will play at the venerable Royal Theatre, and the trio’s intense intellectual swing should delight and awaken some of the old spirits in the hall.
The Royal Danish Theatre, Gamle Scene, Kongens Nytorv, Cph K; Saturday July 7, 20:00; tickets 150-400kr, 3369 6969, www.kglteater.dk
Anoushka Shankar
Trained by her father, the legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar has made a name for herself playing the sitar and performing alongside some of the greatest names in music. The distinctive setting of the Koncerthus should be an inspiring environment for a unique musical experience.
DR Koncerthuset, Koncertsalen, Emil Holms Kanal 20, Cph C; Sunday July 8, 20:00; tickets: 270-420kr, 7026 3267, www.billetlugen.dk
Miles Smiles
This all-star cast of Miles Davis alumni will pay tribute to one of music’s greatest innovators, the man himself, Miles Davis. Featuring Kenny Garrett on saxophone, Robben Ford on guitar, Joey DeFrancesco on the organ, Wallace Roney on trumpet, Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones, and Omar Hakim on drums, this evening will serve as a lasting memory to the master.
The Royal Danish Theatre, Gamle Scene, Kongens Nytorv, Cph K; Monday July 9, 20:00; tickets 150-400kr, 3369 6969, www.kglteater.dk
Concert Hall Events 2012
Various venues in Cph K & C
