Denmark’s jazz scene is making a strong return to China this month as JazzDanmark launches a series of cultural events to mark 100 years since Danish drummer Svend Erik Schmidt, known as Whitey Smith, became the first jazz musician to perform in China.
The initiative begins on October 9 with a concert at DDC in Beijing, opening a month-long celebration of Danish jazz across central China. The performance marks the start of the third edition of Summer Session China, a Danish-led jazz camp that this year moves to Weifang, near Beijing.
This year’s Danish faculty includes Anders AC Christensen, Sinne Eeg, Jacob Christoffersen, Henrik Holst Hansen, and Jakob Roland, alongside international guest artist George Garzone. Four Nordic participants – Ronja Rose Andersson, Teis Ortved, Jacob Tjernström, and Adam Lorentzi – will represent the band MUSViT.
The collaboration between Danish and Chinese musicians continues to grow. Faculty members Roland and Holst Hansen first met Chinese guzheng player Lucy Luan during the inaugural 2023 session, leading to a long-term partnership involving tours in both Denmark and China. Their project, ArtRoho, now returns to China for a 10-concert tour following this year’s camp.
After the session in Weifang, JazzDanmark will travel to Shanghai to take part in the IMX music conference and the JZ Jazz Festival, where Danish artists including Sinne Eeg, Jacob Christoffersen, Anders AC, Janus Templeton, and Martin Schack will perform.
The 2025 Summer Session China is supported by the S.C. Van Foundation and Dynaudio China.
