Denmark's love affair with jazz is one of Europe's most intense. Besides offering a safe haven in the past to American jazz musicians such as Chet Baker, the country has always had a thriving jazz scene of its own. For the last quarter century, guitarist Pierre Dorge's New Jungle Orchestra has been a regular workshop for cutting-edge Danish jazz, with 20-some recordings made all over the world, many of them live. Next month, Dorge brings his band to Tokyo.
A wild amalgam of musicians culled from the many eclectic groups in Copenhagen's clubs, the 10-piece orchestra lays down a thick, meaty sound. They not only remold standards like "Cheek to Cheek" with sleek irony, but also mix in world-music touches. You'll hear an African kora blending with a xylophone. A bass line throbbing below elephant-calls from the horn section. And it will all be embellished by Dorge's ever-shifting guitar tones.
Dorge's own compositions have just the right amount of structure to hold things together while inspiring exploration. The pieces -- with titles such as "Sun Ra Saluting Mars" and others in languages from Africa, Asia and Europe -- move in many directions: "back" to swing, "out" to free jazz, "down" to Africa, and so on.
If you failed to receive an invitation to the band's official concert at Akasaka Palace for His Majesty the Emperor and the Royal Danish Family, don't despair, Dorge and Orchestra will also play at Shinjuku's Pit Inn on Nov. 15.
