The Jazz Competition 2026
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 20:00
Godset, Kolding
Travel times from Vejle Station
The Jazz Competition 2026 showcases Denmark's emerging jazz talents, featuring three standout acts: ELJOI, Purpur, and Venya. Each offers a unique blend of jazz with electronic, Nordic, and global influences. Concerts are free and open to teens and adults, with shows in Aalborg, Odense, Kolding, and Copenhagen. Free tickets are available for the Kolding and Aalborg venues; others may need to be reserved separately. Indoor venues, so no need to worry about weather. Note: This event is likely in Danish only.
Denmark has an impressive layer of young jazz talents, waiting to be discovered. For many years, “The Jazz Competition” has been part of spotting and promoting future jazz stars. Think of names like Svaneborg Kardyb, Ginne Marker, Baryl and Little North.
At Jazz6000 we place great honor in helping the greenest and wildest shoots on the jazz stem forward into the spotlight. We have therefore, for many years, laid the stage for The Jazz Competition, which we organize together with Jazz Danmark. At Jazz6000 we cheer for them all as always - and hope that you will do the same!
As part of the competition, the participating orchestras will give concerts at Godset in Kolding, Dexter in Odense, Huset in Aalborg and Montmartre in Copenhagen.
The participants are selected from a nice fieldThe selected participants are found based on an open registration process and are selected by artistic staff at the four performance venues, manager, curator and bandcoach Kat Jarby as well as Jazz Danmark. There were 29 relevant applications to this year's jazz competition, so the panel has been working hard in the selection process.
The chosen finalists are:
ELJOI The borderland between the acoustic and the electronic, ELJO creates a sound universe with elements from both modern Nordic jazz and minimalistic electronic music. An atmospheric sound image, which is both thoughtful, repetitive and full of forward movement, where all elements – both electronic and acoustic – are played live on stage. The duo released in 2025 their debut album “Merging”, which was received with warm reviews from All That, JazzNyt, Bands of Tomorrow and found its way to the playlist of P8 JAZZ.
PurpurPurpur consists of seven members, whose individual musical footholds create Purpur's special sound. Purpur is a life project, which invites the listener into an exploratory music universe. Danish-language texts and brass arrangements with roots in the Nordic tradition are fused with pulsating rhythms, inspired by different music cultures from afrobeat to folk and jazz, as well as electronic elements characterize Purpur.
VenyaVenya is a band whose music moves freely between neo-soul, jazz and pop, where the improvisational from jazz melts together with pop's groove and energy. The band's special sound is based on both acoustic and electronic elements – always with sharp focus on text and melody. Venya's music reflects six different young musicians' identity, and although genre boundaries are challenged, it is always accessible and relatable for the listener. With energy, intimacy and catchy melodies, Venya is a fresh breath on the Danish as well as the Nordic jazz scene.
The Jazz Competition takes place here: 13. February Huset, Aalborg – Get a free ticket here 17. March Dexter, Odense 5. May Jazz6000/Godset, Kolding – Get a free ticket here 27. May Final concert at Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen
The Jazz Competition's main sponsor is Gangsted Foundation.
Jazz Danmark: Facebook Instagram
ELJO: Facebook Instagram
Purpur: Instagram
Venya: Facebook Instagram
Suitable for: teens, adults