— World premiere of original arrangements featuring the composer himself as soloist

Meet one of Denmark’s most active jazz voices in collaboration with one of the country’s most tradition-rich big bands, as Niels Wilhelm Knudsen takes the stage as both soloist and composer together with King Size Big Band.

Niels Wilhelm Knudsen is a bassist, composer, and arranger based in Copenhagen. He is known for his melodic approach to jazz, where Nordic tone and groove meet in a warm and organic expression. Knudsen has released several acclaimed albums under his own name and has established himself as a versatile musician across genres — from modern jazz to funk and soul — with a clear foundation in the Scandinavian jazz tradition. His music is both lyrical and energetic, and in recent years his compositions have received attention for their strong melodic and rhythmic identity.

The pieces by Niels Wilhelm Knudsen are arranged by some of Denm...

— World premiere of original arrangements featuring the composer himself as soloist

Meet one of Denmark’s most active jazz voices in collaboration with one of the country’s most tradition-rich big bands, as Niels Wilhelm Knudsen takes the stage as both soloist and composer together with King Size Big Band.

Niels Wilhelm Knudsen is a bassist, composer, and arranger based in Copenhagen. He is known for his melodic approach to jazz, where Nordic tone and groove meet in a warm and organic expression. Knudsen has released several acclaimed albums under his own name and has established himself as a versatile musician across genres — from modern jazz to funk and soul — with a clear foundation in the Scandinavian jazz tradition. His music is both lyrical and energetic, and in recent years his compositions have received attention for their strong melodic and rhythmic identity.

The pieces by Niels Wilhelm Knudsen are arranged by some of Denmark’s most exciting arrangers, including Kathrine Windfeld, Ole Kock Hansen, and the evening’s conductor, Anders Larson.

King Size Big Band was founded more than 40 years ago and is today considered one of Copenhagen’s leading big bands. The orchestra consists of 17 musicians — both seasoned performers and new talents — and is currently led by trombonist and arranger Anders Larson, who has collaborated with the DR Big Band, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, and Tivoli Big Band, among others.

The repertoire is known for its broad range: from swing classics by Count Basie and Duke Ellington to modern big band arrangements inspired by Thad Jones and contemporary composers such as Gordon Goodwin and Rob McConnell — but with brand-new arrangements tailored to the works of Niels Wilhelm Knudsen, this concert brings a unique perspective.

Over the years, the band has also collaborated with a number of Danish and international jazz artists, including Jesper Thilo, Etta Cameron, Nils Landgren, and Katrine Madsen. This concert can be seen as a continuation of their tradition of integrating new voices and projects into the big band genre....

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