Copenhagen recommendations

[jeffcrom]

I'll be spending a week in Copenhagen in late October. Jazz-wise, what should I do - clubs, record stores, etc.?

[AllenLowe]

sorry haven't been there in years, though I like it a lot - look out for a very fine tenor saxophonist named Bob Rockwell, a transplanted American who was gigging there in the 1990s, as I recall - excellent player, don't know what ever happened to him -

[Teasing the Korean]

I would just sit on the terrace, drink, and listen to Scott Walker.

[jeffcrom]

I'll be spending a week in Copenhagen in late October. Jazz-wise, what should I do - clubs, record stores, etc.?

Bump.... Any suggestions from our European friends?

[Teasing the Korean]

The little clock's stopped ticking now

We're swallowed in the stomached rue

The only sound to tear the night

Comes from the man upstairs

His bloated belching figure stomps

He may crash through the ceiling soon

The window sees trees cry from cold

And claw the moon

But we know don't we

And we'll dream won't we

Of Montague Terrace in blue

The girl across the hall makes love

Her thoughts lay cold like shattered stone

Her thighs are full of tales to tell

Of all the nights she's known

Your eyes ignite like cold blue fire

The scent of secrets everywhere

A fist filled with illusions

Clutches all our cares

But we know don't we

And we'll dream won't we

Of Montague Terrace in blue oh in blue

[Cliff Englewood]

I'll be spending a week in Copenhagen in late October. Jazz-wise, what should I do - clubs, record stores, etc.?

Bump.... Any suggestions from our European friends?

Bring lots of money, it's a very expensive city, at least it was the last time I was there.

[neveronfriday]

I have to make this really quick. Send me a PM with further questions. I'm really busy right now and don't know how elaborate I can be when answering those.

There are tons (!) of tiny jazz and music clubs around Copenhagen (literally hundreds, if you count the many small cafés that often have live music on the weekends). Some of the best jazz I heard in those places.

If you've got the time, try a jazz club guided tour:

http://www.jazzguides.dk/english.htm

Those people can help you sift through what's available.

The Copenhagen City Guide (available at most hotels) used to list the main concerts and clubs, but asking around often gets you into much better and cozier venues.

Haven't been there for two years, but a quick skip around the Net told me that my fave haunts are still around:

1) La Fonatine: http://www.lafontaine.dk/

A tiny plcae not too far away from the townhall square. One street down towards the water from the walking street. Tiny place which used to offer beer crates for seats, but great atmosphere on Fridays/Saturdays with live jazz. Used to be a regular place for Kjeld Lauritzen's various organ trios (think Organissimo). No idea if it still is. If lucky, a DK jazz great might walk in and jam along.

They only have "Hi-Fi Jazz" Monday-Thursday (radio/CD/LP) but live music Fr/Sa 23:00 - 03:00 and Su 21:00 - 01:00.

2) Copenhagen Jazz House: http://www.jazzhouse.dk/

This one basically "replaced" the well-known Montmartre Jazz club. That's where the big acts play. Check out what's on the programme.

I've got more recommendations ... but not right now. No time. Would need to google for the programs of about 40 to 50 cafés/restaurants/clubs I frequented these past 25 years to see what they're offereing when you're there.

P.S.: The last time I was there, Bob Rockwell was alive and well and especially active with people like Casper Villaume, Jesper Bodilsen and the "former students of Ed Thigpen" (my term) crowd. He was playing all over town all year round.

Edited September 23, 2009 by neveronfriday

[neveronfriday]

BTW: Post the dates of your visit here.

If it's going to be in October. I'll probably be there for about 3-4 days before travelling further up north.

I could show you around one day (the clubs are all over the place ... bus rides on the excellent public transport system which basically runs all night involved).

Edit: Oops ... reading helps.

When in October?

Edited September 23, 2009 by neveronfriday

[neveronfriday]

Cozy jazz music store ("The Jazz Basement") right next to one of Copenhagen's coziest - in the summer - square (Gråbrødre Torv).

Address:

Jazz Kælderen

Skindergade 19

1159 København K

Pretty small place, knowledgeable people, only a Danish web presence. They often have CD launches, etc. Sushi as well now, as I just saw.

http://www.jazzmusic.dk/

Edited September 23, 2009 by neveronfriday

[neveronfriday]

Christiania, the famous free state, has several concert venues (Loppen, Jazz Club, etc.), but I have no idea what's playing at the club. Loppen is more the rock-oriented place with jazz at times. The Jazz Club website (just checked) hasn't been updated since the summer jazz festival (typical for those folks ... things follow a different rhythm down there). BTW: All the daily newspapers have extensive live music listings (Thursday edition? Can't remember ... ask at the hotel).

Sorry for the fragmented posts here ... it's a bit hectic at this end.

Gotta run ...

[neveronfriday]

Just checked the aforementioned Kjeld Lauritzen's gigging schedule. Turns out he's active at La Fontaine with Bob Rockwell.

That's certainly a guy to see if he's playing when you're around.

http://www.kultunaut.dk/perl/arrlist?ArrGe...Kjeld+Lauritsen (only in Danish for now)

[A Lark Ascending]

If you get the time, take a train out to Roskilde to visit the fabulous Viking ship Museum:

http://vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/index.php?id=...cache=1&L=1

When I went around 1980 you had to catch various boats (the train drove onto the boat!) to cross between islands but there are bridges all the way now.

[jeffcrom]

BTW: Post the dates of your visit here.

When in October?

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I'll be arriving on October 18 & leaving Friday, October 23. Not long enough, probably. My wife has an academic meeting; part of the time I'll be with her and part of the time I'll probably be on my own, but I'm not sure how everything will shake out at this point.

[Erik Weidinger]

When I want to hear some jazz I go to "Huset i Magstrædet". The adress is Rådhusstrædet 13. Allmost every monday there are a bigband (Monday Night Big Band)

playing standarts, it contains some of Denmarks best musicians.

The best CD dealer is Jazzcup in Gothersgade 107.

[jeffcrom]

Thank you for the recommendations. The Jazzhouse didn't have anybody I was interested in hearing during my stay (although I missed John Tchicai by one day!), but I heard Jesper Thilo at Jazz Paradise in the Huset complex and posted my reactions elsewhere. Bob Rockwell is playing there next week - too late for me. The Jazz Kælderen was indeed a great little store, and I found some others - even took the train across the bridge to Sweden and picked up some records in Malmö.

The regular sight-seeing stuff was great, too. I'm trying to listen to some of the records and CDs I brought back, but I'm about to give up - it's only eight PM in Atlanta, but I've been up for 22 hours.