Lucasillanes2 (1).jpg

Shaping Stories Through Sound

Kenneth Dahl Knudsen is a Danish bassist and composer whose career has taken him across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His music has been performed in a wide variety of cultural settings, from intimate clubs to symphony halls.

As a bandleader, he has created and developed a number of projects, including ensembles that explore both contemporary jazz and cross-cultural collaboration. He has also been an active sideman in long-term groups and numerous international collaborations.

Beyond performance, Knudsen has written for orchestras, chamber groups, and large jazz ensembles, with works premiered by institutions such as the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, orchestras in Copenhagen and Tokyo, and several of his own large-scale ensembles.


Discography

  • “ANTI ROBOTIC DANCE MUSIC” - 2025

  • “ATLAS II” - 2025

  • "GLOOMERS” - 2024

  • “ZUKUNFT” - 2023

  • “ATLAS I” - 2022

  • “NUNA” - 2022

  • “SPACE BIG BAND” - 2021

  • “LIBERTY 1” - 2021

  • “UUMMAT” - 2020

  • "TÉTÉ" - 2018

  • "WE'LL MEET IN THE RAIN" - 2016

  • "CLOCKSTOPPER" - 2012

  • "NO HOAX" - 2011

  • "STRINGS ATTACHED" - 2010

Awards & recognition

  • 2023, Nominee: Album of the Year, Danish Grammy for “Liberty Orchestra”

  • 2022, Nominee: New name of the Year Danish Grammy for “Space Big Band”

  • 2022, Work grant by The Danish Arts council

  • 2022, Nominee: Best jazz/funk Album at Latvia Grammy for “Space Big Band”

  • 2021, Nominee: Album of the Year, Danish Grammy's for "Uummat"

  • 2019, NORTHERN JUTLAND CULTURE PRIZE, DENMARK

  • 2017, JAZZ A VIENNE PRIZE 1ST PLACE VIENNE, FRANCE (Gauthier Toux 3)

  • 2016, Work grant by DJBFA DENMARK

  • 2016 LA DEFÉNSE JAZZ PRIZE 1ST PLACE PARIS, FRANCE (Gauthier Toux 3)

  • 2014 ORLEANS JAZZ PRIZE 1ST PLACE ORLEANS, FRANCE (Gauthier Toux 3)

  • 2013 IN VIVO PRIZE BERLIN, GERMANY

  • 2011 DPA FINALIST DANSKE POPULÆR AUTØRER, DENMARK

  • 2011 JAZZCLASH PRIZE SÆBY, DENMARK

  • 2010 JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR DMF NORDJYLLAND, DENMARK

  • 2007 TALENT OF THE YEAR AWARD MGK NORD, DENMARK