The Danish Radio Big Band

One of Denmark’s foremost large jazz ensembles, the Danish Radio Big Band—also known as the DR Big Band—operates as a versatile group whose refined take on post-bop and swing has earned widespread notice. Though already prominent through its lineup of leading Danish players, the ensemble has cemented its standing via extensive partnerships and sessions with internationally celebrated jazz figures. Originally launched in 1964 by bandleader Ib Glindemann under the name New Radio Dance Orchestra, the DR Big Band emerged from Danmarks Radio’s early effort to champion jazz both domestically and on national broadcasts. Since 2009 the group has operated from the broadcaster’s Copenhagen headquarters, DR Byen (“DR City”), alongside other state-supported artistic organizations.

The band’s first recording appeared in 1970 as Brownsville Trolley, with saxophonist/composer Ray Pitts and trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg at the helm. Activity surged during the following decade once famed trumpeter Thad Jones, then living in Copenhagen, assumed leadership; key releases from that era include the well-regarded 1978 album By Jones, I Think We’ve Got It and 1979’s A Good Time Was Had by All. Throughout its initial thirty years the ensemble also performed live with an array of distinguished visitors such as Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, and Freddie Hubbard.

During the 1990s further recordings began to spotlight guests, among them saxophonist and guest conductor Ernie Wilkins on Suite for Jazz Band and Danish saxophonist Jesper Thilo, while additional projects honored the music of Jones and Duke Ellington. The practice of centering an artist’s repertoire persisted into the next decade, yielding collaborations with Thomas Clausen, Toots Thielemans, Renee Rosnes, Eivor Palsdottir, and Jim McNeely. In 2009 the band teamed with longtime Wynton Marsalis drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts for Impaler; a year later guitarist Mike Stern appeared on Chromazone. Trumpeter Randy Brecker took center stage on 2011’s The Jazz Ballad Song Book, and that same year lauded saxophonist Chris Potter contributed to Transatlantic. Subsequent projects involved Richard Bona, Vincent Nilsson, and the ensemble’s own trumpeter Gerard Presencer on Groove Travels. Vocalist Curtis Stigers joined forces with the group for his 2017 Frank Sinatra tribute One More for the Road, while the live album Charlie Watts Meets the Danish Radio Big Band, issued the same year, documented a 2010 concert with the iconic Rolling Stones drummer.