This year, Drop Inn has assigned themes to the days that represent the best in Jazz.
A super selection that celebrates and highlights instruments, sub-genres and current trends in Jazz-Denmark.
This Monday in our festival program is under the theme: Young Danish Jazz.

Esben Bay Big Band is a new international/Nordic big band based in Denmark, which counts members from Poland, Lithuania, Sweden and Denmark, well-established jazz profiles as well as up-and-coming names on the Danish and international music scene, all under the leadership of Esben Bay, who is a visionary young Danish saxophonist.

The band plays his original compositions, with inspiration from people like Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Jim McNeely and Maria Schneider, and is also influenced by Thad Jones’ and Count Basie’s swinging big band sound. Most important of all for the music are singable and catchy melodies, and the modern and Nordic sound is mixed with funky grooves.
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This year, Drop Inn has assigned themes to the days that represent the best in Jazz.
A super selection that celebrates and highlights instruments, sub-genres and current trends in Jazz-Denmark.
This Monday in our festival program is under the theme: Young Danish Jazz.

Esben Bay Big Band is a new international/Nordic big band based in Denmark, which counts members from Poland, Lithuania, Sweden and Denmark, well-established jazz profiles as well as up-and-coming names on the Danish and international music scene, all under the leadership of Esben Bay, who is a visionary young Danish saxophonist.

The band plays his original compositions, with inspiration from people like Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Jim McNeely and Maria Schneider, and is also influenced by Thad Jones’ and Count Basie’s swinging big band sound. Most important of all for the music are singable and catchy melodies, and the modern and Nordic sound is mixed with funky grooves.

In July 2025, he and his big band released their debut album “NEW LIMITS” digitally and on vinyl. The band played a sold-out release concert at Kildevæld Kulturcenter during CPH Jazz 2025, and most recently in February they played to a packed house at KU.BE.

At the concert, you can experience Esben Bay Big Band playing a lot of songs from “NEW LIMITS”, as well as newer compositions....

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