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Mikkel Ploug

Danish guitarist and composer Mikkel Ploug (b.1978) has performed all over Europe, Brazil and the US with his bands Mikkel Ploug Group, Mikkel Ploug Trio and Equilibrium. He has recorded 12 albums for internationally reknowned labels such as Sunnyside Records (USA), Whirlwind (UK) Fresh Sounds New Talent (ES) Songlines Recordings (CA). Mikkel has performed as a soloist with The Royal Ballet in Copenhagen and works with american choreographer and dancer Tilman O’Donnell.

His solo album Alleviation has over 2 million plays on Spotify and his 2018 album “Faroe” was selected for the Grammy category “Best Instrumental Jazz Album”.

He has worked as a sideman in Sean Carpio’s Wowos and for NYC alto player Pete Robbins Transatlantic and performed as an opening act for Wayne Shorter early in his career. Mikkel who started out on drums at the age of four has a master awarded with a distingtion for composition from the Royal Conservatory in the Hague, Holland, he has lived in Berlin, and now resides in Copenhagen.

Performances:

Brazil, USA, Canada, China, Israel, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Holland, England, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Faroe Islands. Mikkel has appeared at Elb Jazz Festival, Savassi Festival Belo Horizonte, Northsea Festival The Hague, Brey Jazzfestival, Copenhagen Jazzfestival, Spalicek Festival, United Islands Prague, Musik i Lejet. and at clubs like Pizza Express (London) Jamboree (Barcelona), Sunset (Paris), A-Trane (Berlin), Unterfahrt (Munchen) Oslo Nasjonalscene (Oslo) Jazzhouse (Copenhagen) Moods (Zurich) Singen Jazzclub (Singen) and many more.

Performed as a leader and sideman with:

Mark Turner, Loren Stillman, Bill McHenry, Theo Bleckman, Pete Robbins, Tommy Crane, Joachim Badenhorst, Sissel Vera Pettersen, Jeppe Skovbakke, Rebecca Collins, Marlon Browden, Sean Carpio, Kresten Osgood, Thomas Agergaard, Anders Christensen, Mikkel Hess, Tue West, Niels Lykkegaard, Kenny Wheeler, Eivind Opsvik, Robin Fincker, Simon Jermyn, Jonas Westergaard, Hugo Rasmussen, Kevin Brow, Niels Vincentz, Flin Van Hemmen, Robert Stillman, The Unusual History Of Ether and many more.

Teaching:

Mikkel has worked as an external expert for master exams at University of Basel and the Conservatory of Luzern. He has taught as a guest teacher at Prague International Jazz Workshop, Conservatory of Würzburg, Jydsk Conservatory Stævne Uge, Århus, Odense and Rytmisk Conservatory in Copenhagen.

Lectures:

Mikkel gives lecture on harmonies in human speech. The project is entitled “The Hidden Composition”.

Education:

Mikkel received his master from the royal conservatory of the hague in 2005 and was awarded a distinction for his original compositions. Mikkel originally started out on drums at the age of four before changing to guitar at twelve.


Gear

Gibson, D'Angelico, Newtone Strings, Polytone Amps.


Tags

Album Review
Hi-Res Jazz
Album Review
  • Faroe by Neri Pollastri
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“An original voice with something to say…” – Bud Kopmann – All About Jazz (US)

“Mikkel Ploug is the latest sensation in European jazz guitar with a personal voice and sound that shines.” La Vanguardia

“Masterclass – The danish guitarist Mikkel Ploug is on the way into to the champions league of contemporary jazz” – Alex Schmitz – Jazzpodium (DE)

“Mikkel Ploug’s compositions are gorgeous. “Chords” [another Ploug composition] leaves me breathless.” – RVAJazz (US)

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Copenhagen

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

has taught at conservatories all over europe, teaches online via skype

Photos

Album Discography

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Day in the Sun

Songlines Recordings
2022

buy

Balcony Lullabies

Stunt Records/Sundance Music
2020

buy

Faroe

Sunnyside Records
2018

buy

Alleviation

Songlines Recordings
2017

buy

Liquid Light

Songlines Recordings
2014

buy

Equilibrium

Songlines Recordings
2009

buy

April

From: Day in the Sun
By Mikkel Ploug

Videos

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