FOUR GIANTS Waidtløw/Kristiansen Quartet: Tribute to 4 Great Americans in Danish Jazz

FOUR GIANTS - Waidtløw and Kristiansen Quartet: Sunday 7 February 2027, 15:00–17:00, Islands Brygge Bibliotek, Copenhagen. Tickets cost 150 kr.

In the 1960s and 70s, many American jazz musicians settled in Copenhagen and helped establish the city as Europe's leading jazz metropolis. To mark the centenary of jazz in Denmark, Waidtløw and Kristiansen have assembled a quartet honouring four Americans who left the deepest mark.

Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon lived in Denmark from 1962 to 1976 and played regularly at Jazzhus Montmartre. Pianist Kenny Drew arrived in Denmark in 1964 and is known for his duo work with NHØP and his contribution to John Coltrane's album Blue Trane. Bassist Oscar Pettiford - one of jazz's most innovative musicians - settled in Copenhagen after a European tour in 1958 and also performed at Jazzhus Montmartre. Drummer Ed Thigpen, called "Mr. Taste" and best known from the Oscar Peterson Trio, came to Copenhagen in 1972 and lived here until his death in 2010.

The quartet features Waidtløw on saxophone - who has played with John Scofield, Toots Thielemans, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Eddie Gomez and Jeff Ballard - and Søren Kristiansen on piano, recipient of the Ben Webster Prize, Danish Jazz Prize and Palæ Bar's Jazz Prize, as well as the award for best jazz album for his solo recording "With a Song in My Heart". Kristiansen was also a member of the Jesper Thilo quartet from 1990 to 2000. The group is completed by bassist Jesper Bodilsen, who played in Ed Thigpen's trio for many years, and drummer Frands Rifbjerg.

The evening features music from the four Americans' repertoire, spiced with stories and anecdotes about their lives and significance for Danish jazz.

Line-up: Waidtløw sax · Søren Kristiansen piano · Jesper Bodilsen bass · Frands Rifbjerg drums