International celebrities and local stars

There were many reasons for starting the Aarhus Jazz Festival in 1989. The organisers - Musikhuset Aarhus and other local venues - wanted to establish an event with international stars and new talents in jazz. Furthermore Aarhus was stagnant and quiet in the summer - a time with a potentially great jazz audience of both locals and tourists.

Today Aarhus is full of activity in the summer and the Jazz Festival's original ambition of presenting international stars as well as new talent and currents in quality jazz remains. This strategy makes the programme of Aarhus Jazz Festival unpredictable and also familiar to the audience. The strategy also helped the Festival achieve its international renown - but in its own right as the second largest jazz festival in Denmark.

Like all good festivals the Aarhus Jazz Festival is continually evolving. The whole city is backing the eight days of jazz, more and more venues are added and this year's festival will be one of the biggest up till now.

Some of the thousands of musicians who have been featured at the festival include:

2018

Burt Bacharach, Melody Gardot & Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Claire Martin, Gilad Hekselman Trio, Jakob Bro Returnings feat. Palle Mikkelborg, Hailu Mergia, 30 years of Jazz - Aarhus Jazz Festival Jubilæumskoncert, Scandinavian Big Band Nights - AJO feat. Mads Mathias & Mimi Terris, Wonderbrazz feat. Ida Nielsen & Kuku Agami, Pierre Dørge & New Jungle Orchestra, Arthur Lea Bootleg Trio, Maluba Orchestra, Girls In Airports, BSD+B Plays Stravinsky, Sinne Eeg feat. Larry Koonse, Simon Toldam Trio, Grarup All Stars, Schantz Segment, Ibrahim Electric, Stan Getz Tribute, Indra, SÏN feat. Tim Berne, Andreas Brantelid & Elisabeth Westholz, Morten Haugshøj Group, Melissa Stylianou Quartet, Spacelab, Cæcilie Norby, Daimi & Louisians Jazzband, De 5 På Nye Eventyr, Artur Tuznik Trio, Ensemble Edge & The Jan Johansson Tribute, Carillon Concert, Kira Skov & Maria Faust 'In The Beginning', Hess Is More, Cactus, AUT-ensemble feat. Okabe & Seyer-Hansen, Butch Lacy Mindekoncert, Bremer/McCoy, Århus Sinfonietta, Tip-Toe Big Band feat. Lars Jansson, Jazzfilm i Øst For Paradis: Cool Cats, Chet Baker: Let's Get Lost etc.

 

2017

Jamie Cullum & Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Mike Stern / Randy Brecker Band feat. Lenny White, Madeleine Peyroux, GOAT, Makiko Hirabayashi Trio, En hyldest til Leif Falk, Klüvers 40 års jubilæumskoncert, South African Big Band Nights, Mitamurakandadan?, MoGoToYoYo, Norbotten Big Band, Noritaka Tanaka/Daysuke Takaoka/Julie Kjær, Turtle Yama, Tip Toe Big Band feat. Lucy Woodward, Kristin Korb Trio, Jakob Anderskov RESONANCE, Vulkan, 12 Points (Lars Fiil Frit Fald, chuffDrone, Tommy Moustache, Post K etc..), Ternion Quartet, Bremer/McCoy, Steen Rasmussen Quinteto feat. Leo Minax, Kresten Osgood Trio, Admiral Awesome feat. Liudas Mockunas, AddisAbabaBand, Woody Black 4, Oilly Wallace Quartet, Niels Præstholm & Art Ensemble Syd, Peter Vuust Quartet feat. Veronica Mortensen og Lars Jansson, Århus Sinfonietta, Never Ending Shanghai, The Orchestra, Zvov Sensory, Dunia & Calibut Band, Hess/AC/Hess, Dawda Jobarteh/Stefan Pasborg, Arosia, I think you're awesome.     

 

2016

David Sanborn & Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Melody Gardot, KCB Collective feat. Brian Blade, Sarah McKenzie, Palle Mikkelborg/Jakob Bro/Thomas Morgan/Joey Baron, Ester Rada, Lizz Wright, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra Flamenco Big Band feat. Perico Sambeat, Nate Wooley Quintet, Ibrahim Electric, Anker/Eiler duo, Carl Winther/Jerry Bergonzi Quartet, Carsten Dahl solo, Schlippenbach/Wallsdorf/Melbye/Tom, Tinariwen, Olaf Rupp, Mette Rasmussen, Vuust & Ikenaga - North Meets East, Dunia, Jacob Anderskov Kinetics, Emil Hess Evolution, Syrian National Ensemble, SPAT Sonore, Old News, Kalaha, Antje Rösseler Trio, Acoustic Guitars Reunion feat. Eliel Lazo, AddisAbabaBand, Blood Sweat Bass + Drum - On the road to Damascus, Århus Sinfonietta, Girls In Airports, Uffe Steen Trio, Sinne Eeg,  Kathrine Windfeld Big Band, Ulrik Spang-Hanssen/Søren Nørbo, Horse Orchestra, Helle Hansen Quartet, Jacob Ds Maskinpark, Orgelduo Presents, Jesper Thilo Kvartet, I Just Came From The Moon, Aarhus Improvisers Orchestra, Antidotum Tarantulae, The Embla. 

 

2015

Chris Minh Doky & The Nomads, Mikkelborg/Liebman/Blood Sweat Drum + Bass, Andrew D’Angelo/Trevor Dunn/Jim Black, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra feat. Kira Skov & Mads Mathias, John Hiatt & The Combo, Samuel Blaser trio feat. Marc Ducret, Michael Felberbaum Quartet, Cæcilie Norbys NATHINDE, Jakob Bro Tentet feat. Peter Laugesen, Luca Ciarla Quartet, Winther/Åman/Mogensen feat. George Garzone, Maria Faust Jazz Catastrophe, MOVE string quartet, Buchanan/Speed/Toldam, Paul Harrison Band feat. Shannon Barnett, Benjamin Weidekamp Quartett, Niclaj Hess Nonet, We like we, Admiral Awesome feat. Liudas Mockunas, Jakob Dinesen w/ strings, Kresten Osgood & Friends, Steen Rasmussen All-stars Sexteto feat. Paulo Braga, Bastard Assignments & Primdahl/David, Diallo/Menzer/Nordsø, Signe Bisgaard Group, Shades of Blues, Bülow/Besiakov Brazilian Quartet, Jakob Sørensen Bagland, Daimi & Louisiana Jazzband, I Think You’re Awesome.

 

2014

Aaron Parks, John Scofield Überjam, Jakob Bro/Thomas Morgan/Jon Christensen feat. Palle Mikkelborg, Anthony Strong, Adam Baldych, Grzegorz Karnas Quartet, Viktoria Tolstoy & Aarhus Jazz Orhestra, Chris Heenan, KlangExchange & Søren Lyngsø Knusen,George Garzone, Melting Pot made in Wroclaw,  Makiko Hirabayaski Trio feat. Marylin Mazur & Klavs Hovman,  Rudi Mahall, Steve Noble, Albare, Ginman/Eivør, Marius Neset Birds, Moussa Diallo Trio, Sinne Eeg, Live Foyn Friis/Nikolaj Hess/Daniel Sommer, Jakob Buchanan Quintet feat. Chris Speed, Klüvers Kvartet feat. Miriam Mandipira, Leo Minax & Steen Rasmussen Quinteto, Uffe Steen/Peter Vuust, Stine Michael & EventyrOrkestret, Jesper Thilo Quartet, Hess Dayyani Emborg Trio, Nulle  og Verdensorkestret, Shades of Blue, Thera Hoeijmans & Flensborg/Venndt Duo, Jazz Five, Dahl/Greve/Pasborg, Brumbasserne, Snorre Kirk Blues Modernism, New Flamenco Jazz Experience.

 

2013

Cæcilie Norby, Pierre Dørge & New Jungle Orchestra, Scott Robinson, Adam Baldych, Bonnie Raitt, Warsaw Village Band, Mette Juul/Riel/Hess/Presencer/Ramsbøl, Leszek Mozdzer, Jesper Thilo, Indra, Uffe Steen/Jacob Veendt Duo,  Mike Andersen, Flensborg/Venndt Duo, Hermine Deurloo, Jan Kaspersen Sekstet, Live Foyn Friis, Hess/Dayyani/Emborg, Sinne Eeg, Nulle & Verdensorkestret, Shades of Blue, Niels Winther/Laura Toxværd, P.O. Jørgens, Lars Jansson Trio, Chapper&Når mor og far får tid, Miriam Mandipira, Veronica Mortensen, Salvin/Eldh/Lilinger, Sigurdur Flosason/Kheld Lauritsen, Sandberg Explorer, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra/Master Fatman, Hugo Rasmussen Skæg & Brille Trio, Pablo Held Trio, Christian Windfeld & Co, Den etiopiske danseprinsesse Bangocancán, Malene Mortensen, Peter Danstrup Reptiles, Peter Brötzmann. 

 

2012

The John Scofield Hollowbody Band, Al Di Meola & Gonzalo Rubalcaba Duo, Moscow Art Trio, Jens Klüver Big Band Classic, Jef Neve Trio, Katrine Madsen Simple Life, Cordelia, Bro/Knak, Bazaar, Six City Stompers, Jesper Thilo, Abrahams/Heeman/Majkowski, Indra Kvartet, Nulle og Verdensorkestret, Bassekou Koyate & Ngoni Ba, Bang/Tom/Delius/Honsinger, Rosa fra Rouladegade, Søren Dahl Jeppesen, Jonas Andreasens Big Ass Jazz Bash, Sinne Eeg Group, Vuust/Dahl/Nørgaard /Peter Laugesen, Okay Nittebed + Kolonihaven, Unikum, Han Bennink Trio, Greve/Rosenbaum/Svend Åke Johansson, Steen Rasmussen Quartet/Leo Minax, Admiral Awesome/Jens Bang, Dørge/Kühl/Balder/Bruun, Moussa Diallo Trio, Pojken Flensborg/Torben Bjørnskov Duo, Girls in Airports, Russo & Russo, Al Agami & The Rap ReHab Ensemble, Gunnertoft Gospel Singers, Eggs Laid By Tigers, Larry Mccray Band, Paul Lamb/Chad Strentz.

  

2011:
Eliane Elias, Curtis Stigers, Andrew Cyrille, Claire Martin, Mark Solborg Trio feat. Evan Parker & Herb Robertson, Lisa Ekdahl, Claus Hempler & Indra, Blood Sweat Bass+Drum feat. Palle Mikkelborg, Mads Vinding Trio, Mike Andersen Band, Shemekia Copeland, Butch Lacy – Jesper Løvdal Duo, Eliel Lazo – El Conguero Band, Cæcilie Norby, Lars Janson Trio feat. Søren Sko, Friis Frei Libre, Marius Neset Golden Explosion, Gonga Sain & Mithu Sain, Klüvers Big Band feat. Sinne Eeg, Phil Parnell Trio – PP3, Marilyn Mazur Group.

 

 

 

 

2010:
Cæcilie Norby, Alice Ricciardi Quartet (IT), Blood, Sweat, Drum’n Bass Big Band feat. Jørgen Munkeby (DA/NO), Esperanza Spalding (US), The French Quarter Connection (US/DK/SE), Indra (US/DK), Dahlen Baerentzen Project (CA/DK), Russo Cali Duo.

  

 

2009:
Abdullah Ibrahim, Joshua Redman, Galliano, Rubalcaba, Bona & Penn, Ibrahim Electric, Hyperactive Kid, Løgnhalsen og de medskyldige, Sinne Eeg, Hugo Rasmussen Allstarz, Marilyn Mazur, Andy Sheppard, Jan Harbeck Quartet, Klüvers Big Band feat. Veronica Mortensen, Dave Samuels & Dennis Mackrel, Anke Helfrich, Geir Lysne Ensemble, Jesper Thilo, ‘Son de la Frontera’ feat. Rodríguez, Amparo, Torres & Moròn.

 

2008:
The Neville Brothers, Ivan Lins feat. Nnenna Freelon, La Mariposa Tango Project – Erling Kroner New Music Orchestra m. Laura Hansen og Carlos Morera, Ib Glindemanns Orkester, Robin Nolan Trio, Papa Bue, Bourbon Street Jazzband, Arosia, Fredrik Mellquist Trio feat. Ester Årman, Klüvers Big Band feat. Jesper Thilo og Wycliffe Gordon, Khrat, Klangkarate.

 

 

2007:
Eliane Elias Quartet, Dino Saluzzi Group, Pete Robbins & Centric, Horacio ”El Negro” Hernandez, Laswell/Molvaer Group, The Shin – ”EgAri”, Tomasz Stanko “Balladyna”, Thomas Agergaard Quartet, Dissing, Dissing, Las & Dissing, Klüvers Big Band feat. Cæcilie Norby, Blood Sweat Drum´n Bass Big Band feat. Jørgen Munkeby, Consul Pepsi & The Sweet Thunder Poetry Pa- rade feat. John Tchicai & Peter Laugesen.

 

2006: 
Richard Bona, Sting, Jason Moran & The Bandwagon, Chico Freeman & Barbara Dennerlein Duo, Klüvers Big Band feat. Malene Mortensen, Mike Stern Band, Lars Jansson Trio, Gunhild Carling Swing Band, Jesper Thilo Quartet, Cæcilie Norby & Ernie Wilkins Almost Big Band, Take 6, Dissing, Dissing, Las & Dissing, Fat Tuesday, Airto Moreira/Jacob Andersen Duo, Kresten Osgood New York Quartet, Ibrahim Electric, Anna Maria Jopek, Christina Dahl – Heartbeats, Benjamin Koppel/Sigurdur Flosason Kvintet, Tchicai/Grimes/Osgood, Niels Jørgen Steen & Anne Kristine Lauritzen.

 

2005:
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Alex Riel Trio, Marilyn Mazur's Future Song, John Scofield Band feat. Chris Potter, Ginman De Luxe, Barbara Hendricks, Hermeto Pascoal, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Klüvers Big Band feat. Ken Peplowski, The Hoodangers, Dalia Faitelson & Common Ground, Global Motion, Mike Andersen Band, SP Just Frost, Carsten Dahl, Peter Wettre, Caroline Henderson, Wonderbrazz, Jens Winther European Quintet.

 

2004: 
Milton Nascimento, Chris Potter Group, Al Jarreau, Ed Thigpen Scantet, Carsten Dahl & Cæcilie Norby, Yellowjackets, Klüvers Big Band feat. Kurt Elling, Terence Blanchard, Tortoise, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Chacon/Marcussen Quintet feat. Billy Hart, Jacques Loussier Play Bach Trio, Hans Esbjerg/Jens Jefsen Duo, Giovanni Falzone Contemporary Ensemble, Helle Hansen & Absolute Organ, Invention, One Song III, SP Just Frost, Jackie Terrasson Trio, Lizz Wright, Electronic Jazzjuice, The Band Who Knew Too Much.

 

2003: 
Four Brothers: Kurt Elling/Jon Hendricks/Mark Murphy/Kevin Mahogany & The Laurence Hobgood Trio, Bill Frisell & The Intercontinentals, Rubalcaba/Sanchez Quartet, Curtis Stigers, Randy Brecker/Bill Evans Soulbob Band feat. Ronnie Cuber, Svend Asmussen Kvartet, Richard Bona, Lila Downs, Laurent de Wilde, Niels Lan Doky Trio, Mikkel Engel special edition feat. Ben Street, Lars Jansson/Mads Bærentzen Duo, Sean Moises and his Hot Rhythm Boys, Kasper Villaume Trio feat. Janice Harington, Anders Widmark feat. Sara Isaksson.

 

2002: 
Cassandra Wilson, Victor Bailey Group, Michel Camilo Trio, Dianne Schuur, Regina Carter Quintet, Dr. John, Norbert Susemihls Arlington Annex, Audun Klieve & Generator X, Beats & Big Band, Tim Berne's Accidential Tourist Band, The Blue Junction, The Brücknahm Project, El Indio Quintet, Lars Jansson Trio, Klüvers Big Band feat. Marc Vinci & Bobo Moreno, Butch Lacy & Marc Vinci, Charles Lloyd, Jan Lundgren Trio, Katrine Madsen Quintet, Kresten Osgood/Bent Jædig Kvintet, Doc Houlind feat. Pauline Pearce.

 

2001: 
Brecker Brothers, Ray Brown's 75th Birthday Celebration Tour, The Manhattan Transfer, The Zawinul Syndicate, John Scofield Band, Nils Petter Molvær's Khmer, John Mayall, Jimmy Heath/Kasper Villume/Jesper Bodilsen/Keith Copeland, Boel/Emborg/Vinding/Riel, Richard Galliano & Mihel Portal, Marilyn Mazur's Future Song, Thor Madsen New York Quartet, Jane Monheit Quintet, Klüvers Big Band feat. Marie Bergman.

 

2000: 
Dee Dee Bridgewater & Trio, Kurt Elling, Benny Golson/Ed Thigpen Quartet, Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio, Mingus Big Band, Claudia Acuna Quartet, NHØP Trio, Etnotori-ous feat. Ahmadu Jarr, Melissa Walker Trio, The Heath Brothers, Klüvers Big Band feat. Byron Stripling & Dennis Mackrel, Kwella Koncept feat. Bjarne Roupé, Wayne Krantz, New Jungle Orchestra, Cæcilie Norby, Mads Vinding Trio.

 

1999: 
Dianne Reeves & Quintet, Joshua Redman Band, NHØP Trio, Chick Corea & Origin feat. Gary Burton, Potter/Tepe/Vincentz/Hess, Badi Assad Menagerie, Charlie Hunter & Leon Parker, Ray Baretto Sextet, Luluk Purwanto & The Helsdingens Trio, Ib Glindemanns Orkester, Susi Hyldgaard & Band, Jens Jefsen Trio, Klüvers Big Band feat. Vincent Herring, Katrine Madsen/Jan Lundgren/Jesper Bodilsen/Alex Riel, Töykeät.

 

1998: 
Abdullah Ibrahim, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Gary Burton & The Astor Piazzolla Reunion, The Blues Brothers Band, Betty Carter & Her Trio, Brian Blade Fellowship, Claire Martin Band, Bruckner's Unlimited, Christina von Bülow Trio, Element, Peter Laugesen & Mindspray, Dalia Faitelsen & Common Ground, Ib Glindemann's Orkester, Klüvers Big Band feat. Veronica Mortensen/Bob Rockwell/Kjeld Lauritsen, Jan Kaspersen Quintet, Jesper Thilo & Ann Farholt, Viktoria Tolstoy m. Esbjörn Svensson trio, Århus Fodvarmere.

 

1997: 
Michel Petrucciani/Miroslav Vitous Duo, Lee Ritenour, Golson/Thigpen Quartet, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Danilo Perez Trio, T.S. Monk Jr.'s Band & Special guests Nnenna Freelon/ Howard Johnson/ Eddie Bart, Mike Stern Band, Mika Pohjola Trio, Ivan Peduart Trio, Kevin Mahogany, United Future Organization, Nikolaj Bentzon Brotherhood, Thomas Clausen Brazilian Project, Emil Hess Trio, Klüvers Big Band feat. Cæcilie Norby, Moscow Art Trio, The Organizers.

  

1996: 
Kenny Garrett Quartet feat. Pat Metheny/Net Reeves/Jeff Watts, McCoy Tyner Trio feat. Michael Brecker, Clark Terry w. Butch Lacy Quartet, Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, Vanessa Rubin, The Doky Brothers, The Roots, Svend Asmussen Kvartet, Kurt Elling, Ernan Lopez Nussa Quarteto, Nnenna Freelon, Lillian Boutté w. T.T. Gospel Duo & Kenn Lendings Blues Band, Klüvers Big Band feat. Deborah Brown, Peter Fahrenholtz, Rolando Faria Quintet, Carmen Gomes Inc., Ray Gelato Giants, Emil Hess Quartet, Randy Johnston Quartet, Jan Kaspersen w/ Horace Parlan, John Tchicai w/ Jens Balder & C.W. 6-tet, Mark Whitfield, Finn Ziegler Kvartet.

 

1995: 
Jimmy Scott & The Jazz Expressions, The Manhattan Transfer, Kurt Elling, Svend Asmussen Kvartet, Sigurd Barret & The Cigars, Klüvers Big Band feat. Carmen Bradford, Thomas Clausen Trio, James Carter Quartet, Esbjerg-Lacy Duo, Fessors Big City Band, Daila Faitelsen & Common Ground, Slide Hampton w. Jazz Orkester Norden, Lewis/Young/Ochalski, Mynta, Katrine Madsen Swing Quintet, Cæcilie Norby Group, Nulle & Verdensorkestret, Mike Stern Band feat. Dave Weckl, Bo Stief Chasing Dreams, Jesper Thilo Jazz Cabaret, Gary Thomas Overkill.

  

1994: 
B.B.King & His Orchestra, Joe Henderson Quartet, Herbie Hancock Band, Svend Asmussen Kvartet, Lillian Boutté & Her Music Friends, Django Bates' Human Chain, Nitin Sawhney Trio, DJ Gilles Peterson, Horace Parlan Quartet, Nikolaj Bentzon Trio, Hans Brocksteds Kvartet feat. Roy Williams, Peter Delano, Daila Faitelson Group, Klüvers Big Band feat. Jesper Thilo & Finn Ziegler, Kardinalerne feat. David Paquette, Nordisk Kvinde Big Band, Luluk Purvanto & Helsdingen Trio, The Raney Brothers, Georgie Fame, Ronnie Scott Quartet.

 

1993: 
Eladio Reinón Quintet, Yellowjackets, David Sanborn, Summit Meeting, Jesper Thilo & Ann Farholt, Scandinavian Jazz Quartet, Svend Asmussen Kvartet, Blachman Thomas & The Supreme Beat Revolution feat. Al Agami & Remee, Roy Hargrove Quintet, Lillian Boutté & Thomas l'Etienne, Blue In Green feat. Alex Riel, Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band, Inti, Klüvers Big Band & Deborah Brown, Ronny Jordan, Benjamin Koppel Kvartet.

 

1992: 
The Brecker Brothers, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Jimmy Smith/Jimmy McGriff, Deborah Brown Quartet, Jon Balke Trio, Eliane Elias Group, Jean Paul Bourelly, Reykjavik Jazz Quartet, The Rebirth Brass Band, The Rosenberg Trio, Jens Winther Quartet, Robin Kenyatta Quartet, Christian Vuust Nordic Quartet, Tintiyana feat. Bruce Forman, Summit Meeting, Rasheema, Cæcilie Norby, Picnic, Papa Bue & His Viking Jazz Band, Bob Kerr & His Whoopee Band, Klüvers Big Band feat. Etta Cameron & Peter Yellin.

 

1991: 
Benny Carters Swing America, Milton Nascimento, Michel Camilo Quintet, John Scofield Quartet, The Doky Brothers Band, Emborg/Larsen Group, Vince Jones, Enrico Pieranunzi & Jens Søndergaard, J. Tchicai Transeuropean Orchestra, Marcotulli/Brunborg Kvartet, Woody Mann & Poul Ehlers, Jazzsurprise feat. Lars Muhl, Klüvers Big Band feat. Finn Ziegler, Cæcilie Norby, James Loveless & Bjarne Roupé.

 

1990: 
Trumpet Summit 1990: Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Arturo Sandoval, The Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Booker T. And The MG's, The Blues Brothers Band, Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Champion Jack Dupree, Marilyn Mazur Future Songs, Summit Meeting m. Bernt Rosengren, Krister Anderson Kvintet, Duo Brazil feat. Marco Perreira & Nico Assumpcao, Jazzkapelmestrenes Kapel feat. Theis Jensen, Jesper Thilo, Bent Jædig, Jørgen Svarre, Ole Fessor Lindgren, Erling Kroner, Søren Christiansen, Hugo Rasmussen.

 

1989: 
Stan Getz Quartet feat. Kenny Barron, George Benson & The McCoy Tyner Trio, Arturo Sandoval Sextet, Champion Jack Dupree & Kenn Lending Blues Band, Zawinul Syndicate, Luther Allison, Den Danske Jazzkaravane feat. Allan Botchinsky & Philip Ca-therine, Helle Hansen Kvintet, Peder Pedersens Big Band feat. Clark Terry & Mona Larsen, Nielsen-Okbo-Ehlers feat. Etta Cameron, Arosia, Niels Ryde Septet.