What happens when you mix melancholic nordic melodies with african and afro-cuban energy and rhythms? Elastic Ensemble is a large-format international ensemble based in Aalborg, Denmark and led by rhythm researcher and composer Kenneth Dahl Knudsen. Inspired by projects like Gard Nilssen’s Super Sonic Orchestra and the SF Jazz Collective, it includes several rhythm sections, lots of horns, an international line-up and musical sections of collective improvisation. The music is original compositions by the band members, coming from many European countries including Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta and Poland, creating a broad perspective on European jazz in 2024.

Bandleader Kenneth Dahl Knudsen is an award-winning composer, conductor, bassist and rhythm professor at the Royal Academy of Music in Aalborg, Denmark. His music has been nominated for the Danish jazz grammys in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. He was described by reviewer Adam Baruch as “one of the most talented young European Jazz musicians, who truly embraced the internationality of music not only by travelling all around the world but also by deeply respecting the rich Human musical heritage, which is timeless and boundless.”

BANDMEMBERS:
Marcus Kendellen (IR/DK) - drums
Andreas Skak (DK) - drums
Krzysztof Maciejko (PL) - bass
Glen Montanaro (MT) - guitar
Kristian Vestergaard (DK) - guitar
Liisi Oja (EE) - piano
Antoni Kołodziej (PL) - piano
Dominikas Norkus (LT) - baritone sax
Tobias Hansen (DK) - tenor sax
Moritz Christiansen (DE) - tenor sax/flute
Sophus Bech (DK) - alto sax
Gytis Girdauskas (LT) - trombone
Grantas Kleinauskas (LT) - trumpet
Kristers Dreimanis (LV) - trumpet
Mathias Hansen (DK) - trumpet
Undīne Rolava (LV) - vocal
Kenneth Dahl Knudsen (DK) - conductor