Neanders was started at Åbenrå State School in August 1978 under the name State School Stompers.
In 1981 we agreed to change the name to Neanders Jazzband, as there was no longer any relation to the State School.

Since 2004, we have stuck to "NEANDERS" as our brand, as it is easier to remember and better signals the musical richness and diversity that is our hallmark.

The line-up has been relatively stable throughout the years, and the orchestra today consists of the following:
Per Neander Kristensen (since 1979): Trumpet and vocals, – H.C. Rosendal (since 1978): Clarinet, alto saxophone and vocals, – Stefan Ringgive (since 2011): Trombone and vocals, – Chris Vagn-Hansen (since 1978): Banjo, guitar and vocals – Henrik Bay Møller (since 1986) Double bass and vocals , -Claus Christensen (since 1978): Drums.

We play jazz music based on the New Orleans style, but our repertoire also includes numbers from other eras of jazz history, mixed with newer stuff from the rock'n roll period, but all done with the special Neander touch.

Over the years, we have performed almost everywhere in Denmark, with the exception of the northernmost Jutland and on Bornholm.
Herudover har vi optrådt i Tyskland, England, Sverige, U.S.A, Malaysia.

We play for many different types of events, and it is our opinion that our music fits into many different contexts, both private and public.

A special type of concerts must be mentioned here and they are church concerts that we have played both alone and with the American singers Jan Harrington and Lillian Boutté. With Lillian Boutté, we were regulars during the years, from 1995-2000, every winter in January-February, on a church concert tour in Denmark.

From November 2008 we started a collaboration with Tricia Boutté, who originates from New Orleans - like her aunt Lillian Boutté. Tricia is also closely related to Mahelia Jackson.

In 2008 we were able to celebrate our 30th anniversary, which was marked with a new CD "Street", as well as participation in the Genting International Jazz Festival in Malaysia, see more about this on our website.

We also had a slightly special job, as we played for Mr. Mærsk McKinney Møller's 95th birthday, which took place at home in his garden.

Over the years we have recorded a number of cassette tapes, (it is a kind of mp3 player that was used in the old days, where sound can be recorded and played back on magnetic tape) and CDs:
1) Neanders Jazzband 1988 (1988) (magnetic tape - out of print)
2) Live (1991) (magnetic tape)
3) Oh didn't he ramble (1992) Out of print
4) Bugle Call (1995)
5) Jubilee (1998) )
6) Gospel Night (with Lillian Boutté) (1998)
7) Gumbo (2003)
8) Street ( 2008)

On the CD page, the productions that are not sold out can be purchased.

Neanders Jazzband strives to always live up to its motto
– because music must be alive….