Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen

Ørsted Pedersen’s career began early, and he ran away with it. At a young age of fifteen, he was already a regular at Copenhagen’s Jazzhus Montmarte, which is a popular jazz club in the city. He was already good enough to accompany most of the club’s in-house musicians with his unique technique and skill. He was so good, in fact, that at 17 he was offered to be part of the Count Basie Orchestra. But he had to decline, apparently due to being too young to get a legal permit as a working musician in the US. 

As a youngster, working at the Jazzhus Montmarte allowed him to play hand-in-hand with several of America’s biggest jazz legends. This is due to the club being a frequent stop for jazz musicians from the US during their European tours. Among those he played with were the saxophonists Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, and Stan Getz, to name a few. There were also Ben Webster, Bud Powell, Brew Moore, and even Count Basie himself (whose contract offer he had to turn down earlier). 

But perhaps Ørsted Pedersen’s biggest claim to fame was being the double-bassist to the legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Peterson himself is considered a jazz piano virtuoso, who was also known as among the fastest pianists in jazz. 

He has over 50 albums to his name, recorded with another American jazz pianist, Kenny Drew. Among his most notable songs were Jaywalkin, My Little Anna, and The Puzzle. He was also known for doing jazz reimaginings of Danish folk songs. 

When he died in 2005 from heart failure, Oscar Peterson honored him with an obituary in Jazz Times, saying that he was one of the best musicians he’s ever worked with. Peterson notes Ørsted Pedersen’s impeccable technique that not only complemented his music, but served to inspire him “in a spontaneous way.” Ørsted Pedersen was a Grammy winner as well, being part of a trio with Peterson and Joe Pass when they won the award for Best Jazz Performance by a group in 1974.