Jakob Bro


Jakob Bro is a Danish guitarist and composer.
He has released 20 albums as a bandleader and became a renowned artist on the international jazz scene after recording and touring with Paul Motian, Tomasz Stanko, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Midori Takada, Brian Blade, and Charles Lloyd.
Jakob Bro was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2014 for his trilogy Balladeering, Time and ''December Song''. In 2016, he signed with ECM Records. His annual stint as a leader at The Village Vanguard began in 2020.
WWW jakobbro.com

Career

Jakob Bro currently leads a trio with Joey Baron and Thomas Morgan. Bro also works with Palle Mikkelborg, Charles Lloyd, Ambrose Akinmusire, Midori Takada, Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Brian Blade, and Bro/Knak, a collaboration with the Danish producer Thomas Knak.
His album, "Taking Turns", with Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, and Andrew Cyrille was featured as the album of the month in The Guardian.
Bro is a former member of the Paul Motian Band and a member of Tomasz Stanko's Dark Eyes Quintet.
Jakob Bro’s music and various ensembles are depicted in the film “Music for Black Pigeons”, which premiered at the 79th Venice Biennale and has been featured at film festivals around the world. The soundtrack was released in 2024.
Bro has worked with Paul Bley, Chris Cheek, Andrew D'Angelo, Bill Frisell, George Garzone, Lee Konitz, Thomas Morgan, Paul Motian, Oscar Noriega, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Speed, Ben Street, Mark Turner, David Virelles, and Kenny Wheeler.

Awards and honors

Jakob Bro was rewarded by the Danish Arts Foundation in 2006 and 2012 for his recordings Pearl River and Bro/Knak.
In 2009 and 2013, he received The Jazz Special Prize for Danish Jazz Album of the Year and in 2013 he received The Jazznyt Prize founded by Niels Overgaard.
In 2013 and 2016, Bro received the Carl Prize Jazz Composer of the Year for the albums Gefion and Bro/Knak. From 2003–2016, he received six Danish Music Awards: three for Danish Jazz Album of the Year, two for Danish Crossover Album of the Year and one for New Danish Jazz Artist of the Year. In 2024, Jakob Bro was nominated for Danish Music Award – Jazz Composer of the Year.
He was nominated for the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2014 for his trilogy Balladeering, Time and ''December Song''.
In 2018, he won the "Rising Star" as a guitarist in DownBeat Magazine's International Critics Poll
In 2012, he received the DJBFA honorary award, and in 2023 he received an honorary award from Danish Artist Association.

Discography

As leader

Daydreamer Sidetracked The Stars Are All New Songs Who Said Gay Paree Balladeering Time Bro/Knak December Song Gefion Hymnotic/Salmodisk Streams Bay of Rainbows Returnings Uma Elmo Once Around the Room: A Tribute to Paul Motian - Co-Leader with Joe Lovano Strands with Palle Mikkelborg, Marilyn Mazur Music For Black Pigeons - Motion Picture Soundtrack Taking Turns with Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, Thomas Morgan, Andrew Cyrille Murasaki with Wadada Leo Smith and Marcus Gilmore

As sideman