Otto Lington

Danish violinist and band leader (born August 5, 1903 in Copenhagen, died 1992). The son of a clown, he caught interest in music early in his life and became professional musician at the age of 14. Lead own bands in the 1920's and 1930's as well as leading bands for other leaders incl. Kai Ewans, Jack Harris and Bernard Etté. He arranged the first major jazz concert in Denmark in 1929 and due to his important role in introducing jazz music in Denmark, he was nicknamed "The White Negro". For a number of years (1951-1952 and 1958-1972), he led the Tivoli Gardens big band.