Kenneth Dahl Knudsen

Lecturer, Bass, Entrepreneurship, Ensemble Teaching

I have a huge interest in music of all kinds, and one of my core values is finding the balance between challenging and honoring traditions.

As a teacher im constantly trying to help the students come closer to reality that the musicians life holds.

I take part in developing a scene in Aalborg for Jazz and improvised music, and I want the students to be involved in that.

I have played all around the globe – in Japan, Thailand, Israel, Marokko, Lebanon, Marokko, Romania, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, The Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, USA, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Argentina, Brasil.

As a bandleader, I have developed Kemaca Kinetic, The ATLAS Ensemble, The Uummat Ensemble, Space Big Band, Kenneth Dahl Knudsen Orchestra, Pachamama and The Tété band.

As a sideman, I’ve been a long-term part of in the Gauthier Toux Trio and the World Citizen Band. Since my career began, I have played and worked with Aaron Parks, John Scofield, Gilad Hekselman, Lingling Yu, Mayank Bedekar, Johnathan Blake, Dick Oatts, Joel Frahm, Gauthier Toux, Francois Lindemann, Jaleel Shaw and many more.

I have composed works for:
The Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra in Copenhagen, The Flensburg ensemble, JJazz ensemble in Vilnius, , Fukuda-Gumi in Tokyo, Brilliant Corners in Tokyo, the GetJazz Bigband in Tokyo and for my own large ensembles.

Discography

“Zukunft” – 2023
“ATLAS” – 2022
“Liberty #1” – 2022
“SPACE BIG BAND” – 2021
“UUMMAT” – 2020
“TÉTÉ” – 2018
“WE’LL MEET IN THE RAIN” – 2016
“CLOCKSTOPPER” – 2012
“NO HOAX” – 2011
“STRINGS ATTACHED” – 2010

Awards & recognition

2023, Nominee: Best Jazz Album Danish Grammy’s for “Liberty #1”
2023, Work grant by The Danish Arts council
2022, Nominee: New name of the Year Danish Grammy for “Space Big Band”
2022, Work grant by The Danish Arts council
2022, Nominee: Best jazz/funk Album at Latvia Grammy for “Space Big Band”
2021, Nominee: Best jazz album Danish Grammy’s for “Uummat”
2019, Northern Jutlant Culture Prize, Denmark
2017, Jazz a Vienne Prize 1st place Vienne, France (Gauthier Toux 3)
2016, Work grant by DJBFA Denmark
2016 La Defènse jazz prize 1st place, Paris, France (Gauthier Toux 3)
2014 Orleans jazz prize 1st place Orleans, France (Gauthier Toux 3)
2013 In Vivo Prize Berlin, Germany
2011 DPA Finalist danske populær autører, Denmark
2011 Jazzclash prize Sæby, Denmark
2010 Jazz musician of the year, DMF Nordjylland, Denmark
2007 : Talent of the year award, MGK Nord Denmark

Youtube videos:

Research Projects:
Uummat