TO BE UPDATED SOON!
By Eyal Hareuveni in “The Free Jazz Collective” (2016):
“One of the best-kept secrets of the vibrant Danish jazz scene is drummer Michala Østergaard-Nielsen. A unique musician that can shape the course or the mood of any musical texture with her unique, serene and economic touch. She can blend organically with the vocal jazz quartet David’s Angels, the art-rock trio Nuaia (both with Swedish vocalist Sofie Norling), or the electronics meets free-improvisation of the Swedish Midaricondo duo. Her second album with her own quartet, the Østergaard Art Quartet, follows the acclaimed debut Stories from the Village (BoogiePost Recordings, 2011), and highlights her other talents, that of being a leader of strong-minded musicians and a master improviser.”
By Hrayr Attain in “All About Jazz” about “Østergaard Art Quartet” releases:
“With each release Østergaard-Nielsen delivers a gem. Much like the precious stones her albums are small, compact and brilliant. Having put together a band that shares her artistic vision she puts forth thematically unified sublime works that crackle with free flowing originality and imagination.”
A quote/review of a concert @Kerava Jazzfestival with “Kullhammar/Kalima/Zanussi/Østergaard-Nielsen”: “A real surprise was the magnificent drummer Østergaard-Nielsen. Is it possible that it was her brilliantly balanced, facile and when needed furious intensity which pushed the masculine veterans of free jazz into lightened flow state?”
April/May 2022 : Looking much forward to my first tour with the american pianist Marilyn Crispell together with bass player Thommy Andersson.
Autumn 2021: Can´t wait to be a part of Lina Nyberg, Josefine Lindstrand & Trondheim Voices beautiful project “Songs around the World”.
Spring & Autumn 2021: Mini tours with SounDance - the finest swedish musicians Thomas Gustafsson and Staffan Svensson.
Spring & Autumn 2021: David´s Angels (SE) is releasing their third Album “Thanks to you”. Trumpet player Ingrid Jensen (CA/US) is guest soloing on some of the tracks. Release tour in Sweden - looking so much forward.
July 2020 : Most grateful for being mentioned on a “drummers-list” by the great and inspiring drummer Ra kalam Bob Moses: “As a child I grew up in the same building as Max Roach, Art Blakey and Elvin Jones. I also heard up close Roy Haynes, Edgar Bateman, Rashied Ali, Pete La Roca, Milford Graves, Billy Higgins, Tony Williams, Ed Blackwell and many other greats. So I don't use the term great drummer too loosely. Here is a very partial list of some great, extraordinarily creative, visionary drummer/percussionists from all over the globe, that inspire me to keep evolving and go deeper on my instrument. I encourage you to check these people out and show them some appreciation and respect while they are still here: Billy Elgart, James Zitro ,Tony Oxley ,Franklin Kiermyer ,Francisco Mela ,Sadhu Bhav Tony Falco ,Peter Bruun ,Ahued Audra Menconi ,Simon Barker ,Peter Zeldman ,Chris Cutler ,Pedro Melo Alves ,Vladamir Tarasov ,Thomas Praestegaard ,Tupac Mantilla ,Christopher Garcia ,Michala Ostergaard-Nielsen ,Billy Drummond ,Michel Lambert
Apologies to those I've forgotten. Love Always Hu Ra Kalam”