Ricardo’s Jazzmen was founded in Copenhagen in 1957 by the now retired banjo player Ricardo Hansen. The base for the first many years was the legendary Copenhagen jazz spot Cap Horn in Nyhavn. Later in the 1960s and 1970s, Ricardo’s Jazzmen performed regularly at the most famous clubs in Copenhagen such as Vingaarden and De Tre Musketerer. In 1978, the trombone player Børge Ehler took over the band, and remained the leader until the band closed in 2019.

 

Even though times change, the orchestra stayed on the summit for decades as one of the most famous Danish jazzbands. The repertoire counts Dixieland, swing and evergreens – all well arranged and with a touch of the popular music of to day.

 

Ricardo’s Jazzmen has been recording regularly during the years, also with Danish singer Bjarne Liller Petersen after he left Papa Bue in 1979. The production counts EP/singles and LP’s , and latest six CD’s – see the discography. The CD “The first 50 years” was the last CD from the band.

 

The band has been on many radio and TV shows – home and abroad. They have performed at many European festivals and have been touring all over Scandinavia including Iceland, Faeroe Islands, Finland and Greenland.

 

Many soloists from abroad has performed with Ricardo’s Jazzmen: Bob Green, Champion Jack Dupree, Alvin Alcorn, Bob Wilber, Wild Bill Davison, Benny Waters, Hannah Wilson and Östen Warnerbring.