Odense Jazz Orchestra is the professional big band of Funen, founded in 1994 and based in Odense. The ensemble deliberately pushes the big-band format into new territory - collaborating with Odense Symphony Orchestra, working with electronic music and classical percussion, and partnering with international soloists such as American saxophonist Loren Stillman and Swedish saxophonist Fredrik Lundin. Its repertoire is largely original, composed and arranged for the orchestra. Alongside its concert activity, the band runs educational projects across Funen in partnership with the Southern Danish Music Conservatory.
Odense Jazz Orchestra participates in SKYGGEMASKINE - a free outdoor show at Flakhaven during the H.C. Andersen Festival, created in collaboration with light artist Nojus Sabalis and inspired by H.C. Andersen's fairy tale 'The Shadow'.
In May 2025, the orchestra performed at Forum Faaborg with JAZZmin - a newly composed musical narrative performed together with a choir of over 300 schoolchildren from Faaborg-Midtfyn Municipality.
In March 2025, the orchestra performed newly composed works by conservatory students at a free concert at ODEON in Odense in collaboration with the Southern Danish Music Conservatory.
The album *Odense Jazz Orchestra meets Loren Stillman* was released in January 2025 and received five stars from the British magazine UKVibe, which described it as 'an album of striking depth and refinement'.
In November 2022, the album *It Takes All Kinds to Make a World* was released with Swedish saxophonist Fredrik Lundin - a release that was subsequently selected for UKVibe's list of the year's best jazz albums.
World-class brass soloists Joseph Alessi, Ian Bousfield, and Christian Lindberg join Shannon Barnett in a star concert blending classical and jazz with two Danish orchestras.
American saxophonist Loren Stillman joins Odense Jazz Orchestra for an evening of jazz at Anexet in Kerteminde.
American jazz musician Loren Stillman performs with Odense Jazz Orchestra at Sønderborghus, presenting material from their acclaimed collaborative album live.