The two outstanding instrumentalists and composers, Dawda Jobarteh and Stefan Pasborg, have enriched the Danish music scene through numerous projects. Now, they visit ALICE with their duo project, where a melting pot of styles blends into an output of mutual love for strong rhythmic figures, beautiful melodies, and the pure energy of music.

“With an innate curiosity, the Danish-Gambian kora-drum mash-up delivered a very fruitful and promising fusion of musical cultures,” wrote Soundvenue about Dawda & Pasborg, a duo consisting of two of the most charismatic and masterful musicians in the Danish jazz scene. In 2016, the two musicians released a praised collaborative album on ILK Records – since then, as a duo, they have given brilliant concerts around Denmark and abroad. Here, they shine with great musical prowess, charm, and playfulness, offering a fantastic opportunity to truly experience both musicians’ exploration of their instruments.

Superficially, one might call it a musical meeting between Jobarteh’s West African roots and Pasborg’s position in contemporary jazz. But in reality, these genre labels do not do justice to the project. Instead, it is an experience of two musicians exploring where their deep love for the instruments and collaboration takes them. And they are not afraid to take the music to completely new places, create musical mash-ups of genres, and use unconventional playing techniques. Thus, the music branches out into psychedelic rock, free jazz, and funk – always with the genuine love for collaboration as the swinging guiding thread.

Jazz Special wrote about the duo: “Not since Jimi Hendrix and Sonny Sharrock have I heard anything similar! There’s no denying it. These two gentlemen from Gambia and Denmark hit a vein full of power… a well-arranged suite with fantastic dialogue between the two ‘soul brothers.’” After a memorable concert presented by ALICE in 2021, we look forward to the fantastic duo gracing our venue in May with a new album.

Lineup
Dawda Jobarteh: kora, vocals
Stefan Pasborg: drums, percussion

ALICE at Stairway
While the concert hall at Nørre Allé 7 is undergoing renovation, ALICE is located at the music venue Stairway in Vanløse.