Jens Winther, born on October 29, 1960, in Næstved, Denmark, was a Danish trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He moved to Copenhagen at 18 and performed with bands such as the New Jungle Orchestra and Erling Kroner Tentet. In 1982, Winther became a solo trumpeter in the DR Big Band and started composing for it in 1985. He left in 1989 to join the Jazz Composer's Workshop under Bob Brookmeyer in New York City. Returning to Denmark in 1991, Winther composed for various European bands and orchestras, releasing albums such as Jens Winther - The Danish Radio Big Band (1992) and The Escape (1998). He achieved international recognition with his JW European Quartet, touring worldwide in 2007. Notable achievements include winning the Sonning's Music Grant in 1982 and the Danish Grammy for best Danish Jazz Recording of the Year. Winther died on February 24, 2011, in Geneva.
