Jakob Bro (1978) is a Danish guitar player and composer living in Copenhagen, Denmark.
He is currently collaborating with Palle Mikkelborg, Andrew Cyrille, Marilyn Mazur, Joe Lovano, Midori Takada, Mark Turner, Joey Baron, Thomas Morgan, Jorge Rossy, Larry Grenadier, Brian Blade, Anders Christensen, Nils Petter Molvær, Arve Henriksen and many more. In the spring of 2021 he released the highly acclaimed trio album Uma Elmo through ECM Records. In November 2022 Jakob Bro and saxophonist Joe Lovano co-lead a deeply felt homage to the late, great drummer-composer Paul Motian on “Once Around the Room.”
Jakob Bro is a former member of Paul Motian & The Electric Bebop Band (Garden of Eden, ECM – 2006) and of Tomasz Stanko’s Dark Eyes Quintet (Dark Eyes, ECM – 2009).
He has released 16 records as a bandleader including musicians like Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Bley, Chris Cheek, Thomas Morgan, Ben Street, Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Andrew D’Angelo, Chris Speed, George Garzone, Craig Taborn, Oscar Noriega, David Virelles, Jon Christensen, Jesper Zeuthen, Anders Christensen, Peter Laugesen, Kresten Osgood, Jakob Høyer, Nicolai Munch-Hansen, Jonas Westergaard, Søren Kjærgaard, Nikolaj Torp Larsen and many more.
He has toured in Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, South Africa, USA and most of Europe.
Awards and Recognitions
• 2018: Downbeats 66th Annual Critics Poll winner “Rising Star Guitar”
• 2016: The Carl Prize – Jazz Composer of the Year (for the album Gefion)
• 2015: Danish Music Award – Danish Jazz Album of the Year (for the album Gefion)
• 2014: Nomination – The Nordic Council Music Prize (for Balladeering/Time/December Song)
• 2013: The Carl Prize – Jazz Composer of the Year (for the album Bro/Knak)
• 2013: Danish Music Award – Danish Crossover Album of the Year (for the album Bro/Knak)
• 2013: Jazz Special Prize – Danish Jazz Album of the Year (for the album December Song)
• 2013: The Jazznyt Prize (for the album December Song)
• 2012: DJBFA’s honorary award (from the organisation Danish Jazz, Beat and Folk Authors)
• 2012: The Danish Arts Foundation reward (for the album Bro/Knak)
• 2010: Danish Music Award – Danish Jazz Album of the Year (for the album Balladeering)
• 2009: Jazz Special Prize – Danish Jazz Album of the Year (for the album Balladeering)
• 2007: The Danish Arts Foundation reward (for the album Pearl River)
• 2006: Danish Music Award – Danish Jazz Album of the Year (for the album Sidetracked)
• 2006: Danish Music Award – Danish Crossover Album of the Year (for Sidetracked)
• 2003: Danish Music Award – New Danish Jazz Artist of the Year (for Beautiful Day)