Supported by the Danish Arts Foundation
Our mission is to assist Danish jazz musicians in breaking into the Los Angeles music scene by providing them with their international debut at Vibrato Grill Jazz. Additionally, we aim to support jazz musicians from Los Angeles in establishing themselves in the Danish and Scandinavian markets. This reciprocal effort fosters synergy, promoting both groups on the international stage. We operate through workshops and live performances to create new compositions and reach new heights collaboratively. By uniting talents from Los Angeles (and other parts of the U.S.) with those from Copenhagen (and other parts of Denmark), we strive to amplify the global presence of Danish jazz music through coordinated collaboration between our two countries.
* In July 2024 we're in Copenhagen working on a transcontinental suite that aims to explore the artistic synergy between two jazz communities in the USA and Denmark. Combining the rich tradition and innovative spirit, the suite would showcase dynamic solos and intricate arrangements for a large jazz ensemble. From bustling streets of NYC, to the serene landscapes of Scandinavia, the work embraces a cultural exchange that knows no borders.
Contributors
Danny Jonokuchi
Thomas La Barbera Christensen
Danny Jonokuchi
Danny Jonokuchi is a multi-talented jazz artist based in New York City and Los Angeles. As a jazz trumpeter, vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, few artists are as diversely involved in their craft. He has been recognized for his performance on two GRAMMY Award-Winning projects, and you can hear his compositions and “world-class arrangements” (Broadway World) in renowned jazz clubs, listen to albums he has arranged and produced, and hear him perform on Broadway stages.
WINNER OF THE ISJAC/IJAZZMUSIC 2024 WAYNE SHORTER JAZZ ARRANGING PRIZE FOR BIG BAND ARRANGEMENT OF “PING PONG”.
"LUCK BE A LADY” ARRANGED BY
DANNY JONOKUCHI
FOR LADY GAGA AND ORCHESTRA
PERFORMED AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.
Miho Hazama
Thomas La Barbera Christensen
Danny Jonokuchi
Grammy-nominated composer, Miho Hazama is one of the most promising and talented composers/arrangers of her generation. Lauded in Downbeat as one of “25 for the Future”, Miho developed her signature jazz chamber orchestra “munit”. Now having three full length releases on Universal Music Japan/ Sunnyside Records, Miho has written for and expertly showcased the abilities of guest artists such as Joshua Redman, Lionel Loueke, Christian McBride, and Gil Goldstein, to name a few. Her debut album received the Jazz JAPAN rising star award, and she has been featured in such influential publications as Downbeat, The New York Times, NPR, JazzTimes among others. The m_unit’s third album “Dancer In Nowhere” was nominated to the 62nd GRAMMY Awards.
Thomas La Barbera Christensen
Thomas La Barbera Christensen
Thomas La Barbera Christensen
Thomas L. Christensen is a passionate jazz aficionado and has spent twelve years immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz in Los Angeles. Now, he's channeling his creative energy into the CPH/LA Jazz Exchange, a visionary project designed to spark collaboration and innovation between the Danish and American jazz communities, propelling them to thrilling new heights on the global stage. As a performer he has appeared in commercials for brands such as Cadillac, TIMM, and Levi’s. As an actor, he has collaborated with David Fincher and worked on General Hospital along with several other TV shows. In his modeling career, he has represented Etro, Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, and Cerruti while studying design at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, the best Italian Academy of Fine Arts, in Milan Italy.