Wazzabi’s music is cinematic, a kaleidoscope of genres that testify to Thor Madsen’s and Anders Hentze’s involvement with everything from free jazz over Brazilian music to progressive rock and club music.
After moving to New York in the late 90s, guitarist and producer Thor Madsen formed Wazzabi back in Copenhagen in 2005 with drummer Anders Hentze. The band has since played in a multitude of different setups in Denmark, Germany and USA, sometimes as duo with guitar-laptop-drums and more often than not with invited guest vocalist and instrumentalists.
Wazzabi’s most recent release is the album ‘Monte Lema’ with Danish writer Pablo Llambías (2011). Previously has released The EP A Bigger Form (2008) and the album Wazzabining (2010) which features co-writes and collaborations with Camille Jones, Shaka Loveless, Carlos Zimbher, DJ Noize and Tue Track among others.
The idea behind Wazzabi is shaped by Thor Madsen’s many years in New York. Here he played in Wax Poetic, initially with Norah Jones as the lead singer. The band’s album on Ultra Records was co-produced by Madsen and also features U-Roy and Ndea Davenport. Wax Poetic toured extensively with concerts at Rock En Seinen in Paris, Rock & Coke in Istanbul and Ronny Scott’s in London to name a few.
Wazzabi founders Thor Madsen (left) and Anders Hentze (right). Click image for high-res version (2953×1969px, 72dpi, 1,3mb)
Wazzabi is part of the artistic community around the New York club & label Nublu. The band has played at the venue frequently, making the space rock out with friends like Kenny Wolleson (Bill Frisell), Jesse Murphy (Brazilian Girls), Ilhan Ersahin (Nublu founder), MC Stimulus and MC Dionysos joining them on stage.