Jeppe Aakjær was a Danish poet and novelist (1866-1930). Especially his poems have become an important part of Danish cultural inheritance, due to the fact that many have been put to music by several of the great Danish composers of his time.

Aakjær’s was the voice of the 'little man', and his social indignation was apparent in his writing. But in many cases his poems were pure tributes to nature. His lyrical and colorful words conjure up pictures in your mind, and if you close your eyes for a moment, it is almost as if you are there yourself; in the countryside, in nature. These images are additionally refined by the beautiful and characteristically Danish melodies written by these wonderful composers: Nielsen, Aagaard, Ring, Laub, Kjerulf, Agerby and Tofft.

When the Aakjær Society encouraged our duo to take up these songs, our very first concern was of finding a way to interpret them without losing sight of the special moods and pictures with which we so dearly connect them, while keeping true to our own personal voices as jazz musicians. Not an easy task. We chose on one hand to let the songs speak for themselves, and on the other to frame them in new arrangements and compositions, opening up for improvisation. It is our hope, that you who listen, may be enriched by your own – hopefully comforting and beautiful - images as you listen to this recording.

If you want to give the music a listen, just go to the ”Lyt” tab on the website.

Søren and Christina