I made the pilgrimage to Jazzhus Montmartre, and got to hear the late great Johhny Griffin at the late night jam session. Only kidding. I heard Tomas Franck . When I closed my eyes, tough tenor chops reminded me of the master. It was as if he was there in the room. Franck was with his brother, the strong bassist Daniel, and an extremely lively and inventive pianist definitely worth hearing, and , I was told, from a Danish musical dynasty going back 200 years, Nikolaj Bentzon.

Jazzhus Montmartre has only just re-opened, on may 1st. It has had a major refurb, and is raising money. Leading the venture is Niels Lan Doky, whose website has a lot more about it. I’m told that there will be more films, with Lars von Trier’s film company active on the project.

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The club is small, I would guess maximum capacity about 90-100. There are three communal tables each a double plank of wood. Simple lines in natural, wood, paralleling those of the wide floorboards below. Everything directs your sight towards the stage. the place has a wonderful purity of line…I hope that is reverent enough that I might be forgiven the album cover below.