Malene Mortensen

A wonderful and charming voice from Scandinavia

Although only 25 years old, the Danish vocalist Malene Mortensen sings with stirring intensity.

At 19 she won the Danish Eurovision Song Contest, but Malene’s talent reaches far beyond the indifferent pop ditties often presented in such contexts. Her rich voice and mature phrasing seem born to caress classic jazz songs, which is exactly what she does on her second jazz album. The selection also includes several of her fine original tunes.

Following her success at the Danish Eurovision Song Contest, the internationally renowned Danish/Vietnamese pianist Niels Lan Doky contacted Malene. “Malene is a vocalist of international class, and a talent of highest order”, says Doky.

In 2003 Doky produced Malene Mortensen’s debut CD for Universal Records, Paradise. The players included Lan Doky and two other Danish jazz stars, bassist Niels-Henning ?rsted Pedersen (NH?P) and drummer Alex Riel. The CD topped the Danish jazz lists and caused attention abroad.

In a review of the vocalist, the Nestor of Danish jazz critics, Boris Rabinowitsch, wrote, “What a joy it is to discover a female vocalist who sings straight from the heart with no attitudes, and is graced with a voice that opens up freely”.

Malene’s musical talent is no coincidence. Her mother, Karen Mortensen (who passed away at much too young an age in1993), was a respected drummer, and her foster mother is a teacher of music theory and ear training. Her father, Jens Winther, is a composer, arranger and trumpeter of European fame. Malene has performed with his groups since her early teens.

In the summer of 2004 Malene signed with Scandinavia’s leading independent jazz label, Stunt Records (a part of Sundance The Scandinavian Music Company). For almost 27 years Stunt has constantly expanded its reputation for sublime releases of high musical and artistic quality.

The label paired Malene with another of their young, exceptional talents, pianist Kasper Villaume. He is also the musical producer on this album. The rest of the band is made up by bassist Avishai Cohen, a brilliant musician who joined Chick Corea’s New Trio allready at a young age, and drummer Morten Lund.

Some of the tunes featured on the new album have been associated with Billie Holiday (Date With A Dream) and Joni Mitchell (All I Want), while others are new, including a few of Malene’s own songs.

In the last 3 years Malene has given almost 300 concerts. Which is not so bad for a solo jazz vocalist. But Malene just likes to extend the jazz with elements from pop, soul and R'n'B. She has the ability to reach a wide public at the same time as she more and more is being recognized as one of the new Danish jazz divas. Obviously with this potential Malene has quite a few and various jobs. She has played concerts in Denmark and abroad with her own orchestras, Malene Mortensen Group and Malene Mortensen - Magnus Hjorth Duo , as well as with different trios, especially Kasper Villaume Trio

After the release of the third solo album "Malene" 16 November 2006 Malene goes on a Germany-Austria Tour with Malene Mortensen Group: Morten Ankarfeldt (bas), Hans Hvidberg (tr), Jacob Christoffersen or Magnus Hjorth (piano). Last concert on this tour is Quasimodo, Berlin, 2 December, and the following evening, 3 December 2006, at Copenhagen Jazzhouse, Malene is going to present - for the first time in Denmark - the music from her 3. album "MALENE

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Kasper Villaume trio (pianist)

One of Denmark’s leading young piano talents with international recognition both with his own groups and as a sideman. Kasper Villaume has won several prizes in Denmark and internationally. Kasper Villaume has studied with a.o. Kenny Werner, Ellis Marsalis and at the Rhythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen. He has released several award-winning CDs as a leader and as a sideman.

Kasper Villaume is today one of the most used pianist of the Danish jazz scene. He has played and recorded with a.o. Ed Thigpen, Leroy Jones, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Allan Bothcinsky, Danny Moss, Alex Riel, Jesper Lundgaard, Katrine Madsen, Jesper Thilo, Bob Rockwel, Bent J?dig.ี้

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