I am open for concert booking abroad either with my own group(s) or as a soloist with local bands.
I can be contacted at christinadahlmusic@gmail.com or Denise Thigpen
ABOUT ME
To me music is love. Love is unconditional. I can choose to receive the music and let it flow through me like a wave of warm energy. I can express myself freely.
I can let myself be caught, taken by the music. I can consciously and unconsciously find an embrace of all my feelings in the music – joy, anger, sorrow, longing, fear and so much more.
My love for music began in my childhood.
At the local music school it was possible for me to share my joy of music with other children. It was through Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto that I for the first time experienced The Musical Moment where everything comes together – a sense of eternity that was always there but now for the first time resonated within me and made sense in a deeply profound way.
Later in life I was lucky to experience that moment again. It was during a workshop with the American group Quest with among others Dave Liebman. It was a huge revelation for me. Through their music they opened the door to en endless room with all the colors of the world. They ignited a spark within me to follow my longings and love for music,
During my musicology studies at the University of Copenhagen and at the Conservatory of Rythmic Music I began to compose music for smaller and larger ensembles. During the 90ties I started composing for my own jazz quintet. I had my debut concert at the Jazzhouse Montmartre in the beginning of the 90ties.
It was during my studies that I made my first aquintence with the instrumentation of the classical music when I at the request of Erik Moseholm composed a work for the Danish Radio Concert Orchestra in 1994 where I was the soloist. I later had the opportunity to compose for the Athelas Ensemble, The Symphony Orchestra of Aalborg, big bands and various small ensembles and orchestras.
I participated in the workshop “The Third Way” with various classical composers as inspirators (Per Nørgaard, Hans Abrahamsen, Karsten Fundal among others) and I finished my two year studies of composition at the Conservatory of Rythmic Music where Bob Brookmeyer og Svend Hvidtfeldt Nielsen were my main teachers.
From 2003 to 2010 I have been composing and have released 2 cds as a leader with my 8-piece orchestra, Heartbeats. A big part of the music was composed and produced at the Kæv Studio.
During the years I also have composed music for my duo with Carsten Dahl. We have released two cds: ”Lys på himlen” and ”Det gyldne Landskab”. Furthermore I have composed for the Dahl/Lundgaard/Riel/Dahl and Dahl/Danielsson/Mazur/Dahl quartets.
In the last five years I have been touring and composing with my trio which during the first few years consisted of myself, Jesper Lundgaard (b) og Morten Lund (dr). In 2010 we released our first cd on Storyville Records to critical acclaim.
My trio now consists of Jesper Lundgaard (b) and Espen Laub von Lillienskjold (dr). Lately Niclas Knudsen (g) has been joining us and has been adding new colors and dimensions to the music.
I am contantly searching for a greater freedom of expression and new challenges as a composer. It is important to me that the music I compose is creating a frame of freedom. My vision is to challenge and develop new expressions in my music as well as to create new musical sounds.
I’m searching for an expression that at he same time reflects and shows the personalities of the musicians plying it. I compose especially for the personalities of the musicians who I know will be playing my music.
My music is through-composed to start with but leaves room for interpretation. The harmonic freedom offers us an incredible opportunity to develop thematic structures while at the same time giving each voice a strong independant personal character while still ending in a common musical expression.
Here is a painting of me, done by the Danish painter Christian Hansen:
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
Institute of Musicology at the University of Copenhagen, 1988
The Sibilius Academy, Helsingfors, 1990
The Conservatory of Rythmic Music, 1992
Studies of composition at the The Conservatory og Rythmic Music, 1996 – 1998 with Bob Brookmeyer a.o.
MUSICAL ACTIVITY
Through the years I have among others played with:
Danmarks Radios Big Band, James Moody, Ed Neumeister, Dick Oats, Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, Deborah Brown, Bill Dobbins, Bob Mintzer, Tim Hagans, Niels Jørgen Steen’s The A-Team, Klüvers Big Band, Ib Glindemann’s Orchestra, Beibom/Krooner Big Band, The Orchestra/Beats & Big Band, Ann-Sofi Söderquist Quintet, Riel/Lundgaard/Dahl/Nielsen Quartet, Carsten Dahl/ Christina Dahl Duo, Marilyn Mazur/Lars Danielsson/CarstenDahl/Christina Nielsen Quartet, Sophisticated Ladies, Dahl Trio with Jesper Lundgaard and Morten Lund, Heartbeats/Christina Dahl Trio with Jesper Lundgaard & Espen Laub von Lillienskjold and Niclas Knudsen.
FESTIVALS
I have played larger jazz festivals. Among others:
Montreaux International Jazz Festival, Aberdeen Youth Festival, Keitele Jazz Festival, Stockholm Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Vancouver Festival m.fl. and have been travelling as a musician in among others the following countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, The Pharao Islands, Iceland, Russia, Great BritanScotland, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, The Schwizz, Italy, Frankrig, Kina, Tyrkiet, Litauen, Tanzania & Canada.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY
As a soloist I have been performing with among others The Finnish Radio Orchestra, Tip Toe Big Band and The Danish Radio Concert Orchestra.
I have furthermore performed in plays with The Orchestra, dancers and actors in European Ran.
I have also played in theater orchestras at Amagerscenen, Folketeateret, Easy Living (Kafkafeen), Cirkusrevyen, Det Danske Teater, Det Ny Teater, Rossen og Rønnow, Folketeateret and Gladsaxe Teater.
COMPOSING
I have composed music for the Danish/Hungarian Musical Summit at The Danish Radio during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and for The Danish Radio Concert Orchestra, The Jazzgruppe 90 and String Quartet, The Orchestra, Athelas Ensemble, The Symphony Orchestra, April Light Orchestra, Ann-Sofi Soderquist/Christina Nielsen Quintet, The Cornelius Trio, Christina Nielsen Quintet, Riel-Lundgaard-Dahl-Nielsen Quartet, Christina Nielsen Quartet with Marilyn Mazur, Lars Danielsson and Carsten Dahl, Det Gyldne Landskab, released on cd with Carsten Dahl, Heartbeats, Carsten & Christina Dahl Duo, My Trio with Jesper Lundgaard & Morten Lund and Christina Dahl trio with Jesper Lundgaard & Espen Laub von Lillienskjold featuring Niclas Knudsen.
AWARDS
The Walther Klæbel Memorial Award, 2012
DJBFAs Honorary Award 2011
The Bent Jædig Award 2010
The Ben Webster Award 1994
Second prize at the Europe International Jazz Contest i Belgium 1994 with The Christina Nielsen Quintet and the award for the best arrangemet of an original by a Belgian composer.
TEACHING
I have taught at:
Karlebo Musikskole, Farum Musikskole, Rytmisk Center, Sankt Annæ Gymnasium MGK, Slagelse Musikskole MGK, Køge Musikskole MGK, Ishøj Kulturskole & MGK, Halsnæs Kulturskole and various workshops and courses, Nordjysk Music Conservatory, Vestjysk Music Conservatory and at the Conservatory of Rhythmic Music in Denmark.
DISCOGRAPHY
The Orchestra: “Not as Softly”,1993
The Orchestra: “Smoke Out”, 1996
The Orchestra: “Noxx”, 1998
The Orcheatra: “New Skies”, 2001
The Orchestra: “Beats & Big Band, 2003
Sophisticated Ladies: “To you”
Sophisticated Ladies: “Strange party”
Sophisticated Ladies & Christina Dahl: “S.L. Plays Ellington”
Sophisticated Ladies & Christina Dahl: “In Spirit” 2012
Henriette Clemens, Henrik Metz & Christina Dahl
Christina Nielsen: “From this Time Forward”, 1995
Christina Nielsen: “A Touch of Happiness”, 1999
Ann-Sofi Söderquist/Christina Nielsen: “Heartflower”, 1998
Carsten Dahl og Christina Nielsen: ”Lys på Himlen”, 2000
Carsten Dahl & Christina Dahl: ”Det Gyldne Landskab”
Christina Dahl: “Heartbeats”, 2003
Christina Dahl Heartbeats: “Free your Mind”, 2006
Christina Dahl: “Now is Now”, 2010
Christina Dahl: “Life’s Carousel”, 2014
Christina Dahl: “Childish”, 2017
Christina Dahl: “Quintesse”, 2019
Christina Dahl: “Souls of the Wind”, 2021
CHRISTINA DAHL QUARTET
My quartet consist of the guitarist Niclas Knudsen who with his enormous musical personality plays with abandon and a freely expressed lyricism, Jesper Lundgaard who is internationally renowned for his virtuoso bass playing and Espen Laub von Lilienskjold who is a superbly talented drummer who adds dynamicism and a dedicated energy to the music.
Christina Dahl is one of the most respected Danish saxophone players. She is a band leader and composes music for small and large ensembles. She has performed in countless constellations and is known by her unique soul-tingled sound and her lyrical interpretations that go straight to the heart.
Her playing varies from the most intimate and understated to the the explosive.
Jesper Lundgaard is one of the most respected Danish bass players in Denmark and abroad. He has toured all over the world with virtually all the big names in jazz – among others with Michel Petrucciani, John Scofield, Thad Jones, Benny Carter, Ed Thigpen, Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gordon and Svend Asmussen. He has played on more than 500 records – of which he has been a producer of 50.
Espen Laub von Lilienskjold on drums is one of the most talented musicians in Denmark at the present. His playfulness and special way of complementing the totality of the music helps to create a totally unique expression. His playing is refined, dynamic and always extremely musical.
Niclas Knudsen is without any doubt one of the best guitarists in Denmark. He plays within several genres and has a fantastic capacity for melodic expression and a unique and varied way of coloring his sound. Apart from working with his own projects, like Ibrahim Electric etc, he has, among others, played with Adam Nussbaum, Tom Jones, John Tchicai, Dave Liebman, Ray Anderson and Billy Preston.
Every musician within the quartet has the role of being a lead soloist in a united playful free musical communication with great personal originality. The quartet plays with a freedom and dynacism that results in music of a playful and airy quality. The repertoire consist of original compositions by Christina Dahl. Within these compositions lie stories that have symbolic meaning compared to life and it’s richness of all colors.
Her latest CD is from 2014, entitled Life’s Carousel. It is the 8th cd with Christina Dahl as a leader. Jesper Lundgaard has received the Danish award Bent Jædigs Hæderspris in 2010. Christina Dahl received the same in 2010. She has also received an award from the Composer’s Union DJBFA in 2011 and the award Walther Klæbels Mindelegat in 2012.
Lately the quartet har played a number of exclusive concerts in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Their music har been received with an overwhelmingly positive feedback: Henrik Jöhnemark from Jazz i Malmø writes on Facebook: ”Thanks for a fantastical concert!”. Pjotr Egholm from Giant Steps writes: Great concert! The best concert I’ve been to in a long time!”.
Kjeld Lauritsen writes: ”Wonderful concert with Christina Dahl and her orchestra. Extremely jazzy, even the ”free” compositions showed all the signs of a long life lived with the experience of this mode of expression”.
Bengt Asplund from Floda: ”Thank you so much for the incredible music in Floda yesterday evening. What a lovely tone and technique and what flow and great band playing. The best I’ve heard in a long while – maybe the best I’ve ever heard?”.
Svend Bjerstedt in Kristianstadsbladet: “Beautiful and pleasant. This is jazz that never succumbs to being showy, based on the old and tried standard repertoire, or a swing party or full of cliché filled gestures! Here stories are told of personal involvment, new stories with considerable spirituality and sensuousness and with a great openess to lyrical changes of mood. It’s beautiful and well played together. The music captures you with its seriouness and empathy. The playing together is very alert, the arrangments rich and the solos spiky. Dahl has a mature full blown tone in her tenor sax and a real authority in the whole register. Niclas Knudsen is a very sound-conscious electric guitar player, Jesper Lundgaard is phenomal at making the contra bass sing with a clean, sonorous tones. The drummer Espen Laub von Lillienskjold excells at quiet brush cascades”.
Christina Dahl Trio
Christina Dahl – saxophone
Simon Toldam – piano
Peter Bruun – drums
The Trio had the great honor of being nominated at The German Jazz Prize, 2023 in the category “Instrumental Album of the Year, International.”
In this musical meeting, a unique expression is created in harmony by three dynamic and creatively creative musicians. Christina Dahl Trio consists of three individual artists, each one with great personality and together they create an original universe of compositional music and improvisation. The trio is not afraid of experimenting with the musical expression and to seek out the nooks and crannies of the musical landscape. The music has a spectrum of sound facets and expresses itself from the simple lyrical to the more complex layers of musical lines and pulse. The trio thrives in its span and adventurous stories are told and put to life in this musical tone universe that is intuitively conveyed and ranges from deep, inner peace to chaos and wildness – clear, beautiful moments to smoldering, intense and whimsical colors of foggy tone language. The music is composed by Christina Dahl and is created from inner pictures and storylines. The music is portrayed by the trio in a mutual, organic, musical image that reflects the eternal dynamics and changeability of the human and life. The trio has recorded their first release together in December 2020, released in December 2021 by Zack’s MUSIC.
Besides the album, Christina has released a book of photos and poems that support the music in a most beautiful manner. The book will give the music another dimension and is an integral part of the album release.
The release of the album and the book is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation, DJBFA, Dansk Kapelmesterforening and KODA Kultur.
Link to Album release: ”Souls of the Wind”: https://lnk.to/_souls/
Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-F-QJGMNBw
Link the homepage of Christina Dahl: https://christinadahl.dk/nyheder/
Christina Dahl is one of Denmarks most original and respected saxophone players. Her playing and her compositions are based on a fearless courage and a deep care for the music. Christina has the gift of expressing herself with her own unique sound from the crystal clear and bright, to the spherical dreamy, to the dark and smoldering. Christina creates musical images and a storytelling of high compositional quality with both an edge and with finesse.
Christina Dahl is one with her saxophone, and she has composed music and played as a conductor in classical and rhythmic ensembles in all sizes, shapes and forms for more than 30 years. During her career, she has released 12 albums in her own name and she has toured with an innumerable amount of bands and orchestras around the globe. In between shows and tours, she lectures at music schools and the Danish Music Conservatory.
Christina Dahl has been awarded with the Ben Webster Award alongside the ”Europe international Jazz Contest” i Belgium and a number of other great jazz rewards throughout her career.
“Soft toned and breathy tenor saxist Christina Dahl creates Givenchy impressions”. – George W. Harris, Jazz weekly
”… with her compositions, the band works with the music that moves near the edge of the free, but always with a strong sense of a stylistic lifeline. It’s an explosive recipe that lasts longer than you might think” – Christian Munch-Hansen fra Politiken
“The music is expressive, energetic and explosive. It’s unpredictable, dynamic, multi faceted, sensory saturated, but also still with a clear lyrical lightness” – Ivan Rod, Gaffa
“Christina Dahl brings us a unique sound package of European Classical and American Jazz combined to form greater freedom of expression in a trio setting. The three are free to create new musical sounds with movement while guided by clear themes and structures. Souls of the Wind is highly recommended if you enjoy third stream, electronic music, and classical influences in improvised group settings being guided by strong composed melodies and modern harmonic colors.” – Jazzsensibilities.com
Simon Toldam is one of Scandinavia’s most exciting jazz musicians with 14 albums under his belt. He has received a Danish Music Award 4 times and in 2015 he received the prestigious scholarship from the Danish Arts Foundation. Besides leading the Simon Toldam Trio and the band STORK, Toldam is also a member of the Dutch legend, Han Bennink’s trio. He is also known for his collaboraton with Axel Dörner, Yasuhiro Yoshigaki, Chris Speed, Marc Ducret, Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann, Eivind Aarset, Nils-Petter Molvær, Marilyn Mazur, Tristan Honsinger, Dave Douglas and Jakob Bro. He is an ambassador of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, and he has composed music for theatre, dance, film and orchestras.
Peter Bruun has played the drums since he started at music school at the age of 3. At the age of 18, he enrolled in the Rhythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen and has been a professional musician ever since. Peter is a known figure in the experimental jazz scene. In the latest year, he has played with: Django Bates trio “Beloved” (DK/US/SE), Marc Ducret Quartet, “WBZ”, “Mold” (DK/DE), Simon Toldam “Stork” (DK/SE), Evan Parker, Chris Speed, Herb Robertson, Andrea Parkins, Jesper Zeuthen, Lotte Anker, Tim Berne. As a musical director, he has released albums: Slides, Buffalo Age, Spring, Prima Ballerina, Under The Mile Of Moon, Unintented Consequences, ILK 2003-2013 – Celebrating 10 Years Compilation, This Red-Eyed Earth. In 2020 Peter received the Jazz Scholarship 2020 “Orchestra of the Year” with his band All Too Human and a Danish Jazz Music Award for his “All to Human” album amongst others.
MY LATEST CD: SOULS OF THE WIND (2021)
I am so thrilled and thankful to release my trio album “Souls of the Wind” with Simon Toldam & Peter Bruun on Zack´s Music.
A huge thanks to Simon Toldam & Peter Peter Bruun for wonderfully beautiful playing and to all the amazing helpers:
Thomas Vang (The Village Recording) for the recordings, August Wanngren (Qui Music) for mix, John Fomsgaard (Karmacrew) for mastering, Maria Sattrup for photos and video, Mark Gry Christiansen (Graphic Design) for graphic design, Peter Bek (Zack’s MUSIC ) for distribution, Mark Solborg for inspiration and to Statens Kunstfond (Danish Arts Foundation), DJBFA, and Dansk Kapelmesterforening (Danish Conductors Association) & Gramex-funds & Kodas kulturelle midler/ Koda Kultur for support and Crafton Music AB & D ́addario as sponsor of Rico Reeds.
My Book: Souls of the Wind (2022)
In this musical meeting, a unique expression is created in harmony by three dynamic and creatively creative musicians. Christina Dahl Trio consists of three individual artists, each one with great personality, and together they create an original universe of compositional music and improvisation. The trio is not afraid of experimenting with the musical expression and to seek out the nooks and crannies of the musical landscape. The music has a spectrum of sound facets and expresses itself from the simple lyrical to the more complex layers of musical lines and pulse. The trio thrives in its span and adventurous stories are told and put to life in this musical tone universe that is intuitively conveyed and ranges from deep, inner peace to chaos and wildness – clear, beautiful moments to smoldering, intense and whimsical colors of foggy tone language.
The music is composed by Christina Dahl and is created from inner pictures and storylines. The music is portrayed by the trio in a mutual, organic, musical image that reflects the eternal dynamics and changeability of the human and life. The trio has recorded their first release together in December 2020, released in December 2021 by Zack’s MUSIC.
Besides the album, Christina is releasing a book of photos and poems (written by herself – Christina), in collaboration with photographer Maria Sattrup and graphic designer Mark Gry Christensen, that support the music in a most beautiful manner. The book will give the music another dimension and is an integral part of the album release.
The book was released at a concert at the Copenhagen Jazzfestival on the 28th of June 2022 at 4pm. in the foyer at the Danish National Scene – Sankt Annæ Plads 36, 1250 København K.
The release of the album and the book is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation, DJBFA, Dansk Kapelmesterforening and KODA Kultur.
Christina Dahl is one of Denmarks most original and respected saxophone players. Her playing and her compositions are based on a fearless courage and a deep care for the music. Christina has the gift of expressing herself with her own unique sound from the crystal clear and bright, to the spherical dreamy, to the dark and smoldering. Christina creates musical images and a storytelling of high compositional quality with both an edge and with finesse.
Christina Dahl is one with her saxophone, and she has composed music and played as a conductor in classical and rhythmic ensembles in all sizes, shapes and forms for more than 30 years. During her career, she has released 12 albums in her own naame and she has toured with an innumerable amount of bands and orchestras around the globe. In between shows and tours, she lectures at music schools and the Danish Music Conservatory.
Christina Dahl has been awarded with the Ben Webster Award alongside the ”Europe international Jazz Contest” i Belgium and a number of other great jazz rewards throughout her career.
“Soft toned and breathy tenor saxist Christina Dahl creates Givenchy impressions”. – George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
”… with her compositions, the band works with the music that moves near the edge of the free, but always with a strong sense of a stylistic lifeline. It’s an explosive recipe that lasts longer than you might think” – Christian Munch-Hansen in Politiken
“The music is expressive, energetic and explosive. It’s unpredictable, dynamic, multi faceted, sensory saturated, but also still with a clear lyrical lightness” – Ivan Rod, Gaffa
“Christina Dahl brings us a unique sound package of European Classical and American Jazz combined to form greater freedom of expression in a trio setting. The three are free to create new musical sounds with movement while guided by clear themes and structures. Souls of the Wind is highly recommended if you enjoy third stream, electronic music, and classical influences in improvised group settings being guided by strong composed melodies and modern harmonic colors.” – Jazzsensibilities.com
Simon Toldam is one of Scandinavia’s most exciting jazz musicians with 14 albums under his belt. He has received a Danish Music Award 4 times and in 2015 he received the prestigious scholarship from the Danish Arts Foundation. Besides leading the Simon Toldam Trio and the band STORK, Toldam is also a member of the Dutch legend, Han Bennink’s trio. He is also known for his collaboraton with Axel Dörner, Yasuhiro Yoshigaki, Chris Speed, Marc Ducret, Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann, Eivind Aarset, Nils-Petter Molvær, Marilyn Mazur, Tristan Honsinger, Dave Douglas and Jakob Bro. He is an ambassador of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, and he has composed music for theatre, dance, film and orchestras.
Peter Bruun has played the drums since he started at music school at the age of 3. At the age of 18, he enrolled in the Rhythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen and has been a professional musician ever since. Peter is a known figure in the experimental jazz scene. In the latest year, he has played with: Django Bates trio “Beloved” (DK/US/SE), Marc Ducret Quartet, “WBZ”, “Mold” (DK/DE), Simon Toldam “Stork” (DK/SE), Evan Parker, Chris Speed, Herb Robertson, Andrea Parkins, Jesper Zeuthen, Lotte Anker, Tim Berne. As a musical director, he has released albums: Slides, Buffalo Age, Spring, Prima Ballerina, Under The Mile Of Moon, Unintented Consequences, ILK 2003-2013 – Celebrating 10 Years Compilation, This Red-Eyed Earth. In 2020 Peter received the Jazz Scholarship 2020 “Orchestra of the Year” with his band All Too Human and a Danish Jazz Music Award for his “All to Human” album amongst others.
MOVING MOMENTS
Moving Moments, my original dance performance show, will be performed live in Copenhagen at Krudttønden, the 4. of july 2016, during the Copenhagen Jazzfestival.
During the Copenhagen Jazz Festival in 2015, in collaboration with Krudttønden, I succeded in realizing my big dream of creatinf a show that embraces the three sensous elements: light (the visual), movement (dance) and sound (the music). I’ve titled the show Moving Moments.
Movable and moving dynamics and energies in a composed and improvised expression that depends on the moment.
In this meeting between the dance and the music a togetherness is created that embraces and reflects Life and turns it into it a sensual experience.
The sensous energies are uttered in a room of the moment that is depending on the human expression and the ability to turn it into a collected experience.
The Moment takes off in stories and music by Christina Dahl.
Alexandre Bourdat has created the choreography for the performance.
Sensual, simple and airy. Wild, crazy and chaotic. It is a moment that is created in togetherness by the light, the dance and the music.
The cast consist of The dancers Anne Nyboe & Joel Fritzon, the lighting artist Martin Danielsen and the musicians Niclas Knudsen, Anders Filipsen, Jesper Lundgaard, Espen Laub von Lillienskjold & Christina Dahl.
It is a great joy that the venue Krudttønden has created the opportunity to realize the dream of this meeting.
The performance is supported by the Beckett Foundation, Dansk Kapelmesterforening and the collected Gramex funds.
Videos and photos are by Maria Sattrup og Joachim Høst (www.sattruphost.dk).
Sound recording by Kæv Gliemann.
I have a dream of developing the Moving Moments show so that it can be performed at more places and maybe for longer periods – cultural community houses, concert venues, theaters, institutions or business venues, to pass on a message about sharpening the senses, realize the energies between us, develop the communication and create more empathy, consciousness and understanding of human relations on the basis and acceptance of who we are.
