Famous Jazzclub Montmartre Re-opens in May

Jazzclub Café Montmartre in Copenhagen re-opens in May! Below is a google translation of a Swedish article.

http://sydsvenskan.se/danmark/article637052/Magisk-jazzscen-far-nytt-liv.html

March 11, 2010


Magical jazz scene get new life

34 years ago packed "It Hemmelige Big Band" down their instruments and one of the world's most legendary jazz clubs closed. Now open the Café Montmartre again.

by Claes Fürstenberg

Jazz Pianist Niels Lan Doky lives alternately in Paris and New York. But now he's moving back to Copenhagen. A year ago, he discovered that the barber school at Great Rain Gade would move. Niels Lan Doky called his good friend Rune Bech, saying that "now we have a chance." They contacted the landlord and convinced him to break off negotiations with another tenant. They made him happy because he was a jazz lover.

The premises were the years 1954-1976 Café Montmartre. On May 1, resurrected jazz club.

At Café Zeze across the street sits Rune Bech and is studying a plan together with interior designer Peter Bundsgaard.

- It should not become a museum. But it will be a mixture between modern and nostalgic, "says Rune Bech.

The long, narrow wooden tables will be reproduced as well as the ten plaster masks that adorned the walls.

- And the mood, "says Rune Bech.

How it was at Montmartre for greatness time in the sixties, the author Dan Truèll described in a poem.

He writes about the semi-darkness, the dense smoke haze, that all wore sunglasses and island shirts, that everyone wanted to dance but it was so crowded that it was not possible without it had to be content with that swing along the benches.

"Og uden Montmartre havde mange af os Levet / A meget less verden / 60'ernes in Copenhagen", the poem ends.

- That was it. The club was an equally large attraction and as well known abroad as Christiania is today and it was Copenhagen to feel better, "says Rune Bech.

And Montmartre was a major contributing factor to many of jazz's biggest names settled in Copenhagen for good. Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon were two of them.

The new club would also attract international names. Game program for the first three months are clear but Rune Bech would not release the names yet.

- We want to mix the big names with the greatest talents that are not yet so famous. And there is plenty of talent. Jazz is great interest among young musicians, "he says.

Rune Bech is IT entrepreneur and former journalist. He is 43 years and never got a chance to go to the original Montmartre at Great Rain Gade. On the other hand, he was a frequent guest at Montmartre in 1976-1995 stood at Nørregade (last years disco). The Swedish musicians Ulf Wakenius, Lars Danielsson and Lars Jansson, are among his favorites.

Pianist Jan Johansson played in the house band at Great Rain Gade 1959th In an interview he said:

- Montmartre is simply a unique and wonderful place to play on. The American musicians not only play better here, but also different, more shades, more daring, weak and strong at the same time.

- To see great artists in a small, intimate room can not compare with seeing them in a concert hall, "says Rune Bech.

The club is 104 square meters and will have room for one hundred guests. The 60s were paired dishes half chicken with fries (SEK 5.50) and baked mussels with lemon and bread (3 £).

For the new menu is Elvio milleri, owner of the Michelin restaurant Era Ora. When he heard about the plans, he said immediately that he wanted to be. Montmartre was a second home to him when he came to Copenhagen in the seventies. Michelinmat the cafeteria prices, it should be served.

Era Ora-owners do not anticipate making money on the new Montmartre and others do not either. The activity will be driven by volunteers and sponsors. Such as the jazz-loving detergent importer who has already donated scouring for the next five years.