Former musical partners:
N.B. & The Scandinavian Connection, N.B. Trio, N.B. Constitution, Basie-arranger Ernie Wilkins’ Almost Big Band, Red Rodney, Clark Terry, John Faddis, Putte Wickmann, Tony Coe, Herb Pomeroy, Paul Jackson, Mike Clark, and others. Furthermore, Nikolaj Bentzon has carried out numerous assignments as a composer as well as a soloist.

Education:
As a child and youngster, Nikolaj took piano lessons from his father N.V. Bentzon, Mogens Dalsgaard, Janne Savery, and Anker Blyme. In 1986, he graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Performance.

Greatest musical experience:
Chick Corea recital in Grønnegården, Copenhagen 1998.

Joined DR Big Band in:
1990

Current projects next to DR Big Band:
Nikolaj Bentzon Trio (1988- ) and Bentzon Brotherhood (1994- ). Numerous sideman tasks including Ernie Wilkins’ Almost Big Band (1987- ). Furthermore, Nikolaj Bentzon often conducts DR Big Band and is working as a producer in various contexts - currently on an album with DR Big Band, Radiounderholdningsorkesteret, and ten Danish vocal soloists as well as an album presenting a large-seized orchestra with Søs Fenger and Östen Warnerbring.

Favorits:
Oscar Peterson Trio: “Night Train”
Buddy Rich Big Band feat. Sammy Davies: “The Sound of ‘66”
Nancy Wilson: “Lush Life”
Me’shell Ndegeocéllo: “Plantation Lullabies”

Additional information regarding Nikolaj Bentzon:
At nineteen, Nikolaj Bentzon was elected “Best Soloist at the Dunkerque Jazz Festival”.
In 1983, he was the first jazz musician to receive the prestigious “Jacob Gade Award”.
He received the “Oscar Peterson Jazz Award” at Berklee College of Music in 1985 and DJBFA’s “Mark of Honor” in 1991.
Nikolaj Bentzon was a two-time prizewinner at the “Annual International Jazz Theme Competition” in Monaco as well as the winner of The European Jazz Federation’s “Jazz Contest 1990.

Contact Nikolaj Bentzon at:
mail @nikolajbentzon.com      

Further information:
http://www.nikolajbentzon.com

Hear Nikolaj Bentzon play on the following albums:
Bentzon Brotherhood live: “Godzilla des Groove” (the CD will be released in the spring of 2004)
Bentzon Brotherhood: “Groove Emergence” (OffBeat Records)
Bentzon Brotherhood: “Nikolaj Bentzon Brotherhood” (BMG) and “Bentzon” (BMG)
Nikolaj Bentzon Trio: “Trisklos” and “Nexus” (Olufsen Records)

Classical albums:
“Sonata for two Pianos” (1954) w/ Niels Viggo Bentzon (Olufsen Records)
Herman D. Koppel, Niels Viggo Bentzon: “Chamber Music” (Dacapo Records)


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