Since 2021, Amalie Dahl’s Dafnie has made its mark on the European jazz scene through extensive touring and two album releases: “Dafnie” (Sonic Transmissions Records, 2022) and “Står opp med solen” (STR & Aguirre, 2024). Both albums have received glowing reviews nationally and internationally, in publications such as The Wire, We Jazz, The Quietus, Klassekampen, and Jazznytt. In 2024 they were award a Danish Music Awards Jazz.
Following this, Dahl has further developed the material into a larger, energy-driven format: Dafnie EXTENDED.
The music is built on her distinctive compositional language; small cells, melodic fragments, open structures, and clearly defined moods – which here gain new power through a large ensemble featuring a double rhythm section, expanded horn line, keys, and electronics. The recording captures a band operating with high precision and strong collective momentum.
With Dafnie EXTENDED, Dahl aims to expand and intensify the Dafnie sound and create a larger, more powerful musical experience, while exploring how a bigger jazz ensemble can open up new spaces for timbre, energy, and improvisation. The project is anchored in the quintet and expanded with musicians who both reinforce and challenge the core elements of Dafnie.
By cultivating the core elements of Dafnie and allowing space for each individual musician to express their innermost voice, the music is given room to be immediate and free, while still grooving and maintaining clear melodic points of reference, alongside textural and abstract passages. The artistic aim is not to highlight individual performances, but to develop a collective expression that can move freely from chamber-music-like stillness to massive free-jazz energy, and from experimental structures to rhythmic groove.
The band brings together a group of highly distinctive performing voices, each contributing with honesty and strong conviction. Throughout the concert, each musician is featured as a soloist, allowing their individual qualities to come to the forefront. They are heard both in smaller groupings within the ensemble and as a full large-scale orchestra.
The album “Dafnie EXTENDED – Live at Moldejazz” will be out March 6th on Sonic Transmissions Records!
Line-up: Amalie Dahl – saxophone and compositions Oscar Andreas Haug – trumpet Jørgen Bjelkerud – trombone Sofia Salvo – barritone saxophone Henriette Eilertsen – flute Ida Løvli Hidle – accordion Lisa Ullén – piano Anna Ueland – synth Ingebrigt Håker Flaten – double bass Nicolas Leirtrø – double bass Paal Nilssen-Love – drums Veslemøy Narvesen – drums
