The historic re-opening is initiated by the 46-year old Paris-based Danish jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky and his friend, media executive and entrepreneur Rune Bech (43). They will operate the club on a non-profit basis.
Re-opening this legendary jazz club is an adventurous dream coming true. This club has a very special place in the hearts of so many people, and I feel humbled and grateful for the chance and opportunity to give this mythical place a new life in a new era. Our ambition is to create one of the most exciting jazz clubs in Europe with a world class music profile, says Niels Lan Doky.
Niels Lan Doky will be the Music Director of the new Jazzhus Montmartre and will return to Denmark (also the title of his new record) to make Copenhagen his new base after a 29 year international career out of New York and Paris. Rune Bech, a former foreign correspondent, television executive and serial entrepreneur, will be managing director.
Legendary status among many artists
Jazzhus Montmarte was a magnet for the worlds greatest jazz musicians from 1959 to 1976 at its famous location in the Copenhagen street Store Regnegade 19A (Great Rain Street). Many American jazz stars moved their life and career to Copenhagen and became a part of the special atmosphere and bohemian lifestyle around Jazzhus Montmartre. Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Mercer Ellington, Ed Thigpen, Kenny Drew, Albert Tootie Heath, Ernie Wilkins and many more were drawn to Denmark because of Montmartre. Some of them never left and lived in Copenhagen till the end of their lives. As a symbol of the level of appreciation these artists received in Denmark some of them, like Ben Webster and Kenny Drew, are even buried in the same cemetery as some of Denmark's greatest cultural icons, fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen and philosopher Sren Kierkegaard.
A whole generation of Danish jazz musicians was educated on the Montmartre stage by the American masters, including drummer Alex Riel, the world renowned innovative Danish bassist, the late Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, and many others. Non-profit venture with a world class profile
We are probably raving mad to enter into this ambitious adventure, but life is too short and much more fun when you realize your dreams and follow your heart. We have decided to make this a non-profit venture, which means that all income will go towards our ambition and dedication of presenting world class jazz, says Rune Bech.
British-Indian manager
The British-Indian filmmaker Riz Merchant will relocate from London to Copenhagen to head the styling of the club prior to the opening May 1st, and will be the clubs daily manager in the opening phase. She will also write and direct a documentary film in English about the resurrection of this legendary club, expected to generate worldwide interest.
We are re-creating a very intimate club with approximately only 100 seats in order to give both the audience and the artists a very special experience. It will be both intense yet intimate at the same time, just like in the original Montmartre, says Niels Lan Doky.
Food from the award winning Era Ora team
Food at the club will be catered for by Michelin awarded chefs from two of Copenhagen's prime restaurants, Era Ora and Acquamarina, led by Italian restaurateur Elvio Milleri. In the daytime Montmartre will be a jazz cafe with jazz and freshly baked sandwiches and cakes, and serve specially imported Italian roasted coffee. Some of the original dishes at the old Montmartre will be re-introduced but with a modern day, organic twist. It will be great quality food at caf prices.
High level advisory board
The Advisory Board of the new Montmartre Club includes some of the most significant personalities of the international jazz world, among others the Chairman of Blue Note Records, Bruce Lundvall, the Japanese owner, producer and CEO of VideoArts Music, Hisao Ebine, and the international head of Verve/Universals Jazz division, Wulf Mller. The Ben Webster Foundation, established in 1976 by HM the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, is represented by its chairman Henrik Wolsgaard-Iversen.
