Niels Lan Doky: “New visions for a new world”
– Featuring Special Guests Steve Rodby & Paul Wertico
APPEARING JULY 2-12, 2025 (Copenhagen Jazz Festival)
Experience the groundbreaking artistry of Niels Lan Doky as he unveils a program of brand-new compositions reflecting on the state of the world and his visions for the future. With a forthcoming new album appropriately entitled “New Visions For A New World” some of the featured guest artists include the iconic rhythm section of bassist Steve Rodby and drummer Paul Wertico, veterans of the most legendary edition of the Pat Metheny Group, multi-Grammy Award® winners and co-creators of some of the greatest masterpiece albums by the PMG (“Letter From Home”, “Still Life (Talking)”, “Imaginary Day”, “We Live Here”, “First Circle”…). They are joined by some of the brightest and most exciting young players from Scandinavia and Europe including the incredible Polish alto and soprano saxophonist Marta Wajdzik and the young Danish guitarist Albert Waidtløw who now lives in New York.
Artist highlights
Steve Rodby
A 15-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, Steve Rodby is best known for his three-decade tenure with the Pat Metheny Group, where he played a vital role as both performer and producer, helping shape some of the group’s most celebrated recordings.
Paul Wertico
An innovative and expressive drummer, Paul Wertico earned seven Grammy Awards during his time with the Pat Metheny Group. Renowned for his versatility, he has collaborated with jazz legends and continues to push musical boundaries across multiple genres.
Marta Wajdzik
A rising star in European jazz, Polish saxophonist Marta Wajdzik brings a fresh and vibrant voice to the ensemble. Her impressive command of both alto and soprano saxophones adds depth and dynamism to this visionary project.
Albert Waidtløw
Young Danish guitarist Albert Waidtløw, now based in New York, is earning acclaim for his exceptional artistry. Blending traditional and contemporary jazz with forward-thinking concepts, his improvisations captivate audiences through their creativity, sophistication, and fresh musical expression.
“Fresh and provocative”
– The New York Times
Niels Lan Doky
– A visionary in jazz and beyond
When the world-renowned Danish jazz pianist and composer Niels Lan Doky released his debut album back in 1986, the American writer Dan Morgenstern wrote: “There is nothing more encouraging and satisfying than to encounter for the first time a young Jazz musician of real stature, someone who can make you feel that the future of the music is in good hands. There can not be the slightest doubt that Doky’s talent is of real significance – that rare thing in the Jazz of our time, an original voice in the great tradition”. Since then, Niels Lan Doky has released 45 albums, been called “the best pianist of his generation” and continues to have one of the most extensive and unusual careers ever seen in music, which – aside from performing, arranging, composing and producing music – also has included work as a film director, author, venue owner, speaker and more. He was Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in 2010, has given a TEDx talk, performed for Pope Jean Paul II at the Vatican, and has appeared on bestseller lists in Europe and Asia.
International critics have lauded him as one of the most important figures in European jazz, and his ability to blend tradition with innovation continues to inspire audiences worldwide. His latest project, “New Visions for a New World,” represents a bold artistic statement, combining his deep jazz heritage with a fresh perspective on contemporary issues.
Steve Rodby & Paul Wertico
– The special guest rhythm section
As one of the most iconic rhythm sections of modern jazz history, they gained widespread international acclaim as long time members of the Pat Metheny Group. Paul Wertico earned 7 Grammy Awards with the group. Steve Rodby stayed on for 3 decades and early on also began producing records for the group, and other artists in parallel, bringing his Grammy Award wins to a total of 15. The Rodby/Wertico sound is an integral part of some of the most revered and greatest masterpiece albums by the group.
“A very personal romantic sensibility. A melodist, with a deep and enlightening touch.”
– Michel Contat (Telerama, France)