Thorbjorn Risager & the Black Tornado
Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado are one of Denmark’s premier roots-rockers and they play The Pleasance Edinburgh on Saturday 12th October!
About Thorbjorn Risager & the Black Tornado
The young Thorbjørn Risager grew up in the small town of Jyllinge, about 30km from Denmark’s capital city, Copenhagen. The former fishing village sits on the eastern shores of Roskilde Fjord with a bustling harbour that has stunning views where the sunset meets the distant hamlet horizon. Staring out into the expanse of clouds and the undisturbed landscape opposite as the breeze ambles past, blowing on the fjord, which hides Viking stories of times past, watching the sun go down – it’s hard for anyone not to sit, think, reflect and dream of the world beyond.
He grew up in a household where both parents were music teachers. “It was very natural for me to pick up an instrument and play,” he says. “I started with the mandolin, then guitar, then saxophone until high school when I discovered that singing was even more fun.”
He was introduced to the sound of the Rock ‘n’ Roll greats – Elvis, Fats Domino and Little Richard – listening to his neighbours’ record collection before discovering the music of B.B. King and Ray Charles in his late teens. This changed everything.
He had long been singing the blues, often playing with friend Emil Balsgaard, when he enrolled to study music at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen. “The most important thing that came out of studying music was that I began to write music. For many years I had considered myself a singer who interpreted other people’s songs. I didn’t consider myself a writer of music. But I discovered it was not as difficult for me to write a piece of music as I thought.”
When this clicked, he left behind his fledgling career as a teacher and threw himself heart, soul and body into his music. As he saw his 30s approaching on the horizon like the sun breaking into a brand-new day, the former interpreter of other people’s music took control of his destiny and has not looked back since.
He formed Thorbjørn Risager Blue 7 in 2003 before swapping it to Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado in 2014, and over the last twenty years, has sent them on their way to become Denmark’s premier roots-rockers.
The Rhythmic Music Conservatory was not only beneficial to opening the door for his writing, but he also met future bandmates Kasper Wagner and Hans Nybo there, whilst Peter W. Kehl was also a former student.
They’ve won two Danish Music Awards (with seven nominations), the “Best Band” in the European Blues Awards and the winner twice of the prestigious German Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik Jahrespreis – German Record Critics’ Awards.
The septet has blazed a trail across Scandinavia, Europe, Canada, the US and Asia for the past twenty years. They’ve been captivating crowds with their dynamic stage presence and a sound that fuses soul, Chicago blues, boogie and rock ‘n’ roll with a voice where Ray Charles, Van Morrison and Billy Gibbons meet in the middle. They’ve brought dancing shoes to Europe’s largest festival stages and low-light noir-ish blues to Jazz clubs around the globe.
| Find tickets with Ticketweb: | Search now |
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at The Pleasance Edinburgh
Dave Hause
Philadelphia-born songwriter Dave Hause comes to The Pleasance Theatre for a live show on Monday 24th February!
READ MORE
The Lindisfarne Story
Founder member Ray Laidlaw and former front man Billy Mitchell are bringing a new instalment of The Lindisfarne Story The Pleasance Edinburgh on Friday 25th April.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret
Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MORE
Love Wednesdays at Why Not Nightclub
Come along to Love Wednesdays, Scotland's BIGGEST Wednesday night, hosted in the award winning WhyNot Nightclub!
READ MORE
The White Heather Ceilidh Club
Join The White Heather Ceilidh Club for a bonnie (and wild!) evening of Scottish Ceilidh Dancing in the heart of Edinburgh!
READ MORE
Open Mic - Hosted by Matthew Rhind
Come along to The Newsroom's Open Mic every Sunday from 3pm and belt your lungs out!
READ MORE
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight
Enjoy Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons, and other magnificent works by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral, performed by The Piccadilly Sinfonietta!
READ MORE
The Roze Garden
Looking for the best Thursday night out in Edinburgh? Discover The Roze Garden - Edinburgh’s Cabaret and Club Night at The Street!
READ MORE
Annasach’s Ceilidh at The Counting House
Annasach Ceilidh Band invites you to our regular ceilidh in the hidden gem of Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Counting House!
READ MORE
Chopin by Candlelight
Brought to you by City Music Promotions, treat yourself and your loved ones to an exceptional evening piano recital at the beautiful venue of St Giles' Cathedral.
READ MORE
Scots Music Group Ceilidhs
All welcome to the Scots Music Group fabulous monthly fundraising ceilidhs at the St Brides Centre! Come on your own, with friends or in a group.
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links