”New York has imported one of Europe’s finest jazz ensembles, Pierre Dorge & The New Jungle Orchestra…”
”The New Jungle Orchestra transforms its American, Latin and European sources into original music that is imaginative, fresh and personal. Mr Dorge himself is a real find, an electric guitarist who has integrated influences from Arabic and African stringed-instrument music, bebop and rock into a creative and colorful style of playing that virtually sings”
”There may not be a more infectious force in jazz than guitarist Dorge and his freewheeling Danish ensemble.”
”In 1980 Dørge founded the twelve-piece New Jungle Orchestra, which has since been touring most of the world presenting mainly Dørge’s own music, which mixes inspirations from Duke Ellington and Ornette Coleman as well as Balinese and WestAfrican music into a synthesis that never loses its basic jazz flavor. The New Jungle Orchesta was the official Danish state ensemble from 1993 through ’96.”
”Revelations in the Jungle.
The New Jungle Orchestra and Yusef Lateef presented an absolutely phenomenal and boundlessly copious concert inside the Opera House.
There are certain special moments in life when it all comes together into a higher synthesis. “It all rolls into one”, as they say. In a certain way, everything becomes divine – if we understand the divine as something that is infinitely greater than the respective individuals who bring it forth…”
”Topnotch Euro Jazz.
Here was European jazz at its best. The New Jungle Orchestra.”
”New Jungle Orchestra a Success in Kuala Lumpur.
In front of a full house this most original, unpredictable, energetic and humorous band played their first concert in South East Asia at the ”No Black Tie” jazz club in KL.”
” There’s something rockin in Denmark.
The NJO’s latest album ”Dancing Cheek to Cheek”, does not contain a dull moment, thanks to Dorge’s imaginative charts: straightahead, free jazz, world music, even moment of Zen… ”Dukish Mingus” boasts a ”walking” trombone-part of an exciting ’bone duet by Kenneth Agerholm and Ray Anderson”
” Even The Moon is Dancing is the most ambitious and memorable of three NJO albums.
On side one, traditional and contemporary Africa meet, and so do instruments and techniques by the bushel. Updating and Africanizing The Mooche. Ellington’s circa 1929 composition for jungle orchestra ( an NJO namesake?) … A celebratory ostinato, spacious melodic intervals, and a bright Mandinkan vocal chorus precede Dørge’s ringing guitar lines. His solo captures the essence of African plectrists, though not without some Wes Montgomery octaves and free fretwork for good measure.
