BIOGRAPHY
Around 20 years ago, an extraordinary musical experience during a “voyage of inspiration” to Bulgaria became a pivotal moment for saxophone player Michael Blicher, leading him to focus on universal soul music.
A chance encounter with four women singing traditional Bulgarian folksongs, accompanied by an elderly man playing a goatskin-bagpipe, deeply moved Blicher. He felt a profound connection between this Bulgarian folk music and also the folkloric music of Mississippi, Mali, Cuba, and New Orleans, which had similarly touched him in the past.
Since then, Blicher has refined his interpretation of this “musical feeling,” which he sees as universal, transcending borders and cultures.
Michael Blicher is known for his soulful sound and musical versatility. Educated at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, he has spent the past two decades touring and releasing music that blends jazz, soul, world, and blues influences.
He is the founding member of the internationally acclaimed trio Blicher Hemmer Gadd, featuring legendary drummer Steve Gadd and organist Dan Hemmer. Together, they have released four albums and two documentary films, and toured extensively across Europe, Asia, Japan, and Australia. Their intimate concert film was broadcast on France’s Stingray music channel, the global drum platform Drumeo, and Danish national TV channel DK4. The trio has been praised for their captivating live performances, with Jazzwise Magazine describing their shows as “mesmerising” and The Sydney Morning Herald calling their craft “flawless” and “breathtaking.”
Michael is also a founding member of Sunbörn (formerly known as The KutiMangoes), a band that has won four Danish Music Awards, including “World Music Album of the Year” and “Roots Orchestra of the Year.” Their innovative fusion of Afro-jazz and Nordic sounds has been internationally recognized, with Danish newspaper Politiken naming their album Afro-Tropism one of the ten most important Danish releases of 2019.
In 2024, Michael co-founded the trio AEGTESKAB, whose debut album quickly garnered critical acclaim and a Danish Music Award. The album was described by GAFFA as “beautiful, cohesive, and a stylish mix of pop, soul, blues, and jazz.” Following the release, the band has played over 40 sold-out shows and continues to tour extensively.
Michael has also performed more than 500 concerts for children in Denmark and Norway with his band Astro Buddha Agogo. In this group, there’s no such thing as music for kids or music for adults – only good music. Astro Buddha Agogo plays with the same joy and dedication, no matter who’s in the audience. The band has been nominated for a Danish Music Award for Best Children’s Jazz Act in 2014, 2020, and 2021, recognized for their infectious energy, artistic quality, and ability to truly engage and respect their audience – both young and old.