Intimate and immersive
The duo consists of guitarist Mats Andersson (SE) and pianist Jesper Hedegaard (DK) – two musicians who have devoted decades to exploring the Brazilian musical tradition.
They present authentic Brazilian instrumental music, often referred to as Brazilian jazz, encompassing styles such as samba, choro, baião, bossa nova, and samba-canção. Their repertoire includes works by composers such as Tom Jobim, Roberto Menescal, Hermeto Pascoal, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Arismar do Espírito Santo, and Moacir Santos, as well as original compositions.
Performed acoustically with great sensitivity to the space, their music unfolds in an intimate and immersive concert format – particularly suited to churches – where Brazilian tradition and modernity merge into a contemplative and atmospheric experience.
During the concert, selected pieces are briefly introduced. In connection with well-known bossa nova works, the audience is offered insight into the original lyrics and themes – often centered on love, joy, and presence – providing a deeper entry point into the music’s mood and meaning.
Mats Andersson (SE) – guitar – graduated from the Malmö Academy of Music in 1998 and has been a senior lecturer there since 2001. He is a prominent figure in Sweden within the Brazilian music tradition, both as a performer and educator. Through extensive stays in Brazil, he has developed a deep understanding of its musical culture, collaborating with some of the country’s leading musicians. He has performed and toured internationally across Brazil, Europe, Japan, and the United States, working with artists such as Miriam Aida, Joyce Moreno, Mimi Terris, Vitor Casagrande, Luis Barcelos, Marco Pereira, Magnus Lindgren, and Rosalia de Souza.
Jesper Hedegaard (DK) – pianist, composer, and producer – has dedicated his life to Brazilian music. For five decades, he has performed with leading Brazilian musicians in Brazil, Portugal, and Denmark. He lived and worked in Brazil for 12 years, where he was awarded the Troféu Caymmi in 1987. During this time, he collaborated with artists such as Miúcha, Zezé Motta, and members of bands associated with Djavan, João Bosco, and Ivan Lins. In 2012, he released the album Time to Change, which received critical acclaim. His latest album, Frutos do Nagé, was released in April 2025 to excellent reviews.
BIO – True dedication
Jesper Hedegaard is a pianist, composer, producer, and bandleader, and one of Denmark’s most dedicated interpreters of Brazilian music. Since the mid-1970s, he has worked extensively within the genre, developing a rare and authentic connection to its cultural and musical roots—most notably through 12 years as a resident musician in Brazil.
Jesper Hedegaard has performed internationally and collaborated with a wide range of Brazil’s most renowned musicians, including Miúcha, Zezé Motta, and members of bands associated with Djavan and Ivan Lins. In 1987, he was awarded the Troféu Caymmi in Salvador, Bahia, in recognition of his work.
His performances are characterized by intensity, musicality, and a strong connection with the audience. With a repertoire spanning bossa nova, samba, choro, and baião, he builds a bridge between tradition and the present, creating a vibrant live experience.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
A lifelong immersion in Brazilian music has shaped Jesper Hedegaard as a pianist, composer, bandleader, and producer.
In 1987, he was awarded the prestigious Troféu Caymmi in Salvador, Bahia, in recognition of his artistic work.
For more than five decades, Jesper has performed Brazilian music alongside many of Brazil’s leading musicians across Brazil, Portugal, and Denmark. He spent 12 years living in Brazil, working as a performing pianist, and has collaborated with a wide range of renowned artists, including Miúcha, Zezé Motta, and musicians associated with Djavan and Ivan Lins.
Since 1976, Jesper Hedegaard has led an extensive cultural exchange initiative, bringing more than 100 Brazilian musicians and artists to Denmark. He has also produced major events such as Festival Brasil in 1994 and 2001 and organized more than ten national tours in Denmark.
His international career has taken him to stages in Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the United States. He has performed at prominent events including the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and the European Festival in Coimbra, Portugal.
In addition to performing, Jesper has taught Brazilian music at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC) and MGK in Denmark, as well as at university and jazz school in Lisbon.
In 2012, he released the album Time to Change with the Jesper Hedegaard Trio, which received an outstanding review from Jens Lohmann in Jazz Special.
In April 2025, he released Frutos do Nagé in collaboration with Dominique. The album was met with highly positive reviews, reaffirming the artistic maturity, contemporary relevance, and lasting significance of his work.
VIDEOS
Santo Antonio by Hermeto Pascoal
Reencontro by Jesper Hedegaard
Corcovado by Antonio Carlos Jobim
TECH SPEC
No technical requirements for churches. The concert is acoustic.
GET IN TOUCH
For bookings or general enquiries get in touch using the form or direct email
mail(@)jesperhedegaard.dk