“the best pianist
of his generation”
Sugita Hiroki - Swing Journal (Japan)
Photo Credit: Attila Kleb
Sugita Hiroki - Swing Journal (Japan)
Photo Credit: Attila Kleb
The four legendary musicians embark on a musical journey based on one of the Niels Lan Doky International Jazz Collective’s most successful concepts, the Jazz/Takes concert series residing at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. While the creative task of Jazz/Takes is complex, the concept is simple: Interpreting the canons of well-established genres of contemporary music - through the lens of jazz.
The MODERN STANDARDS SUPERGROUP featuring Saxophonist Bill Evans (who will be replaced by Ernie Watts for the European tour), pianist Niels Lan Doky, bassist Darryl Jones and drummer Harvey Mason will deliver convincing jazz/takes on songs by contemporary pop icons such as Nirvana, Seal, Soundgarden and Patti Smith and blend them seamlessly with a few of their own originals as well as a few classics, proving the viability of the jazz/takes concept.
On November 8, experience an intimate and introspective journey with Niels Lan Doky on solo piano for the very first time in Denmark. Doky performed solo at Carnegie Recital Hall in New York decades ago and had a solo tour in Japan. Now, 25 years later, he is ready to embark on a new journey with his new concert series, “The Radius Of Now,” showcasing his original compositions and improvisational ‘Explorations’ - spontaneous, abstract-poetic creations that delve deep into the present moment, rendering each performance a singular and extraordinary experience that cannot be replicated. This solo performance is a rare opportunity to witness the raw and unfiltered talent of one of jazz's luminaries.
The Modern Standards, featuring Niels Lan Doky, Bill Evans, Darryl Jones, and Harvey Mason, have released their self-titled album.
They creatively interpret contemporary pop hits, seamlessly blending them with their own originals. This innovative project breathes new life into the world of jazz.
While the creative task is complex, the concept is simple: Interpreting broadly known songs through the lens of jazz, showing that the soul of jazz can harmoniously coexist with contemporary pop.
A generation younger than artists like Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, the pianist is one of the most acclaimed, prolific and unique jazz artists of his time. Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Doky started his professional career at age 13 and soon after began working with American jazz legend, Thad Jones. Since, Doky has released over 40 albums as a leader, has collaborated with the greatest artists in jazz and has won countless awards and accolades around the world. When he released his debut album in 1986, the American jazz writer Dan Morgenstern wrote:
Since then, Niels Lan Doky has had an extensive and unusual career, which - aside from performing, arranging, composing and producing music - also has included work as a film director, author, venue owner and public speaker. He was Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in 2010 and has appeared on bestseller lists in Europe and Asia. He has lived in Boston, New York, Paris and London before returning to his hometown of Copenhagen in 2013, where he gave the TEDx Talk “How Jazz Wisdom Will Change Your Life” in 2016. Truly a global cosmopolitan, he has performed for many prominent world figures, including Pope Jean Paul II, actor Roger Moore, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, HRH the Prince Henrik of Denmark, a.o. He continues this legacy today as a recording and touring musician, as the musical director of the not-for-profit Niels Lan Doky International Jazz Collective, and as the founder of Helsingør, Denmark’s new Sound Dues festival, debuting in 2022.
Key Associations: Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Al Foster, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen, Thad Jones, Toots Thielemans, Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Randy Brecker, John McLaughlin, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Billy Cobham, Eddie Gomez, Mike Stern, Bill Evans, Marcus Miller, Mino Cinelu, Bob Berg, Dave Weckl, Mike Mainieri, Clark Terry, Tom Harrell, Palle Danielsson, Peter Erskine, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse, Billy Hart, Gino Vannelli, Al Jarreau, Jamie Cullum, Monica Zetterlund, Flora Purim, Airto, Jeff Hamilton, Lenny White, Darryl Jones, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Branford Marsalis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Kenny Garrett, Terri Lyne Carrington, Manu Katché, Richard Bona, Lars Danielsson, Hubert Laws, Bobby Hutcherson, Buster Williams, Alvin Queen, Oscar Peterson, George Duke, Jimmy Haslip, Brian McKnight, Diane Reeves, Phil Woods, Palle Mikkelborg, Alex Riel, Paul Wertico and many more.