Debuting at the age of 18 he was commissioned as a soloist together with the Danish Radio Big Band, led by Palle
Mikkelborg, in a work written by pianist Thomas Clausen. John was one of the first "jazz" artists to receive the prestigious
Jacob Gades Grant in 1977, (this grant is primarily reserved for classical artists) and Danish jazz-reviewer
Boris Rabinowitsch called him quote: “a discovery of a Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen’s dimension”. He has worked
with numerous of groups including: Creme Fraiche Big Band (since reformed), D.R. Radio Big Band, Palle Mikkelborg, Danish Radio Jazzgroup,
Thomas Clausen, Morten Grønvad, Debbie Cameron, Ben Besiakov, Bo Stief, South Indian violinists Ganesh & Kumaresh, Lelo Nika and
Somalian Real World recording artist Mariam Mursal. As a composer he has, among other things, written an extended
work for the Danish Radio Big Band, which was released on Olufsen Records (John Sund & The Danish Radio Big
Band:"Fusion Symphony"),where he also is featured as the main soloist. Moreover his discography includes:
“Special Venture” – self titled (Intermusic 1999), “Acoustic Sense – New Gems” (Cope Records 2003), and as coleader;
“World On A String” – self titled (Cope Records 2004), "Special Venture - Twice" (Gateway Music 2007)
John Ehde (cello)
John Ehde was born in Stockholm, Sweden and was educated at the music conservatorium in Århus, Denmark by Professor Asger Lund Christensen. Throughout his long career he has, besides his work as a classical musician, which includes LINensemble, The Wiener Philharmonic, Wiener State Opera and as a soloist with The Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra etc., also worked and recorded with jazz-artists such as Palle Mikkelborg, Pierre Dørge’s New Jungle Orchestra, Copenhagen Art Ensemble and more recently Jacob Davidsen’s Mangfoldighed, which also include the British saxophonist Ian Bellamy. Ehde’s artistic life is marked by versatility: Solo concerts accompanied by piano or orchestra, chamber music, intensive work with contemporary music, performances as a conductor and improvised music.
Morten Lundsby (double-bass)
As a jazz-bassist in the Copenhagen music-milieu, Morten is much in demand. He is at present engaged in the following
projects: the trio Refleks, Manuela Lærke, who this year released the gospel CD “So Very Still”, the acoustic
folk-pop group Magnolia and the Icelandic jazz-group Jonsson/Gröndal Quintet. Morten plays occasionally with Susi
Hyldgaard and Dalia Faitelson. In a big band context he has worked with Andy Sheppard and Nils Landgren and
moreover he is an accompanist with the Danish Boys Choir on a regular basis. He has, in different constellations,
toured in most parts of the world.
Ayi Solomon (percussion)
Ayi Solomon was born in Ghana, Africa. He arrived to Denmark for the first time in 1982 together with the orchestra
“Clasique Vibes”, in connection with the early Afro-Festival in Copenhagen. By the end of the festival, Clasique
Vibes went to Germany with a one-year contract, where they played German and American concert venues. The orchestra
returned to Copenhagen the following year, to fulfil a Scandinavian tour, but fascinated and inspired by the
new environment and its varied musical styles, Solomon decided to stay in Denmark working with Danish musicians.
He immediately caught attention with his extraordinary percussion skills and has since worked in many different constellations
including: New Jungle Orchestra, Palle Mikkelborg, Match Brothers, Moussa Diallo Band, Dalia Faitelson’s
Global Sound with among others Jeery Bergonzi, Randy Brecker and Adam Nussbaum. Moreover he is highly
esteemed as a cultural communicator in connection with his untiring work playing school-concerts.
)
In connection with Acoustic Sense' concert at Beijing International Jazz Festival, John was interviewed by Mel J. of ChinaGuitar.com - check it out here
Acoustic sense - bio
Acoustic Sense is an exiting and different kind of ensemble of musicians. The band started out in 2001 and released their debut CD in 2003, which was very well received by the critics. Danish World Awards nominated the following year ”New Gems” ”Best CD of the Year”.
The bands music can be difficult to attach with a label, but to categorize it as World/Jazz, would properly be the closest one get, but even better would it be, to describe it as original music, open for influences of all kinds and capable of integrating these in their style in a such a natural way, that it appears as one style.
Their sound is a wonderful mix of 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, cello, contrabass and African percussion and they are capable of producing anything from the most intimate to most explosive musical expression, all due to their immense control of their instruments.
On the bands musical journey you will wander through Nordic landscapes and then in the next moment be captivated by prime-music from an ‘African Village’. Indian and flamenco music melts together with jazz, Latin and earthy grooves. At times you’ll hear classical tones, due to cellist John Ehde, who with his classical background is among the few capable of uninhibited improvisation.
Acoustic Sense occasionally involves guest musicians, as for example the Serbian accordion player Lelo Nika, who worked a lot with the band in the beginning and in the future one can expect collaborations with artists such as the amazing Norwegian singer and saxophonist Sissel Vera Petterson and the ‘magic’ kora by Basiru Suso, who John and Ayi recently started working with.
All members of the band have toured world wide, and recently Acoustic Sense played at the Beijing International Jazz Festival, where the turned out to become one of the festivals main attractions.
Bonjour John Thanks for the friendly add I really appreciate your sound and so good music Best wishes from France (Follow me on twitter.com/pascal95 ) Pascal
Here's a "DM" tongue tangling music jangling
double fisting mind twisting thought to kick off your Hump day on the right
foot. Have a whiskey tanking wine making work cranking word wrangling
Wednesday!!!
