Draft:Jakob Dinesen

Dinesen in 2015

Jakob Dinesen (born March 6, 1968 in Rungsted) is a Danish jazz tenor saxophonist. All About Jazz describes him as "one of the most prominent and active musicians in Danish jazz". As of 2022, the Jakob Dinesen Quartet consists of Dinesen, pianist Heine Hansen, double-bassist Bori Albero and drummer Martin Andersen.

Early life and background

Dinesen was born in Rungsted in 1968. He began playing tenor saxophone at the age of 16 and studied under Bob Rockwell and Fredrik Lundin. From 1990 to 1991 he studied at the Berklee School of Music with Gary Burton and drummer Paul Motian, after which he studied at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen until 1999.

Career

All About Jazz describes him as "one of the most prominent and active musicians in Danish jazz – periodically almost hyperactive, horn always within reach, and always in demand", noting that he is an "emotional and virtuosic musician and a powerful conveyor of the great tenor jazz tradition", yet also pursuing something “here-and-now-modern”."

Dinesen with bassist Hugo Rasmussen in 2014

Dinesen recorded albums such as Everything Will Be All Right with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and One Kiss Too Many with Jakob Bro, Ben Street, and Nasheet Waits. He has worked with Paul Motian, Rosenwinkel, Ben Street, Nasheet Waits, Eddie Gomez and Steve Swallow. Dinesen has worked with a number of African and Cuban artists and pop-artists in his native Scandinavia.

In 2014, Dinesen released the album Yasmin. In a review of the Jakob Dinesen Quartet's 2022 album Unconditional Love, Peter Vacher of Jazzwise.com noted the clear influence of Stan Getz.

According to All About Jazz, during the winter months, Dinesen lives in Thailand, where he regularly performs at the jazz clubs there. As of 2022, the Jakob Dinesen Quartet consists of Dinesen, pianist Heine Hansen, double-bassist Bori Albero and drummer Martin Andersen.

Selected discography

• Once Around the Park: Unity (Family, 1997) with Kasper Tranberg, Nikolaj Torp Larsen, Rune Funch, Anders Christensen, Michael Finding, Rune Harder, Al Agami
• For Music Only (1999)
• Around (Stunt, 1999) with Ben Besiakov, Nils Davidsen, Paul Motian, Kurt Rosenwinkel
• Jakob Dinesen / Kurt Rosenwinkel: Everything Will Be All Right (Stunt, 2002) with Anders Christensen, Kresten Osgood
• Lady with a Secret (Stunt, 2004) with Ben Besiakov, Eddie Gomez, Nasheet Waits
• One Kiss Too Many (2006) with Jakob Bro, Ben Street, Nasheet Waits
• Yasmin (Stunt 2014) with Darin Pantoomkomol, Anders Christensen, Jakob Hoyer, Andrea Gyarfas, Karen Johanne Pedersen, Mette Brandt, Samira Dayyani, Per Mollehoj, Hugo Rasmussen
• Jakob Dinesen, Anders Christensen, Laust Sonne: Blessings (April 2021)
• Unconditional Love (Stunt 2022)
• Jakob Dinesen / Anders Christensen / Laust Sonne: Moonlight Drive (April Records, 2023)