Copenhagen Jazz Festival takes place 6th – 15th July and it’s packed with some of the most exciting jazz music around. From solo acts to ensembles, from classic to experimental sounds, the festival has something for all kinds of jazz lovers.
If you’re not sure you’re into jazz (yet), there are plenty of concerts that are jazz-adjacent to change your mind, including a performance by the incomparable Jenny Hval and remixes to get you dancing.
Here are the concerts we recommend you see during Copenhagen Jazz Festival:
Tank and the Bangas
With a mix of styles including hip-hop, funk, jazz, and R ‘n B, this New Orleans-based band becomes greater than the sum of these styles with a totally unique and incredible sound. The concert is early on in the festival, but its really worth checking out!
Pumpehuset
Studiestræde 52
1554 København V
Friday 6th July
9:00 pm
Ticket Price 250 DKK (300 at the door)
Jenny Hval
Norwegian singer Jenny Hval hasn’t typically been in the jazz world, but her latest album “The Long Sleep” brings in top-level jazz musicians to create compositions that are bought incredibly thoughtful yet feel improvised. This performance will be a fascinating mix of jazz and pop sensibilities.
Brorsons Kirke
Rantzausgade 49
2200 København N
Sunday 8th July
10:00 pm
Ticket Price: 175 DKK
To You 1968 – Carsten Meinert
It’s the 50 year anniversary of legendary Danish jazz saxophonist Carsten Meinert’s quartet releasing their iconic EP “To You.” See three original members of the quartet, plus saxophonist Jesper Løvdal, perform and celebrate half a century of this beloved music.
Vandkunsten
1467 København K
Monday 9th July
4:00 pm
Ticket Price: Free
Jazz Remixed at Designmuseum Danmark
This series of free concerts, held in the beautiful location of Designmuseum Danmark, highlights jazz from around the world remixed by international DJs with electronic and hip-hop music. Go to one, or all three, and catch some excellent beats while also learning about jazz musicians of whom you may not have been aware before.
Designmuseum Danmark
Bredgade 68
1260 København
Mistura – Brazilian Jazz Cuts feat. Epic Vinyls From Brazil & DJ Graded
Wednesday 11th July
2:00 pm
Ethio Jazz feat. Ras Money & Morten McCoy
Thursday 12th July
2:00 pm
Jan Johansson Remixed feat. Acid på Svenska with Christian Lappalainen & DJ
Friday 13th July
2:00 pm
Ticket Price: Free for all concerts
Feridah Rose
Denmark-based, Ugandan-born Feridah Rose brings traditions of both backgrounds into her jazz-funk vocals. She’s an incredibly talented performer who can switch between slow ballads to up-tempo jazz with grace and ease.
Bartof Station
Solbjergvej 3
2000 Frederiksberg
Wednesday 11th July
3:00 pm
Ticket Price: 100 DKK
La Fontaine Nights
The classic end of Copenhagen Jazz Festival is always a good time. It’s a late night jam session from some of the best local jazz musicians. It’s only 60 DKK (tickets at the door), the drinks will be flowing, the cigarettes will be lit (yes, you can still smoke inside La Fontaine), and the whole vibe is old fashioned grungy jazzy fun.
La Fontaine
Kompagnistræde 11
1208 København K
Sunday 15th July
11:45 pm
Tickets Price: 60 DKK at the door
See the full Copenhagen Jazz Festival program
See more of what’s happening in July in Copenhagen with our calendar of events, and download our app to get the best of the best in all the Scandinavian capitals.
Cover image is this year’s Copenhagen Jazz Festival poster, designed by Danish artist Christiane Spangsberg. You can buy a copy here.