Jens Larsen

Jens Larsen is a jazz guitarist, composer, and educator who’s helped thousands of students explore the world of jazz. Based in the Netherlands, he teaches at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and runs a successful YouTube channel with over 500k subscribers.

Originally from Denmark, Jens picked up the guitar at age twelve. He initially followed a more traditional academic path, studying Mathematics and Computer Science at Aarhus University. But music was never far away—he played rock and blues gigs, took lessons, and eventually developed an interest in jazz. After finishing his degree in 1995, and given the perspective of becoming a maths high school teacher, he chose to give music a chance.

That decision led him to a Danish Folk High School, where he immersed himself in jazz and met saxophonist Søren Ballegaard. Together, they later formed the jazz quartet Træben. Jens continued his studies in Copenhagen before moving to the Netherlands to attend the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, performing with jazz greats like Jim McNeely, Slide Hampton, and Michael Brecker. He graduated cum laude with a master’s in 2004.

Since 1998, Jens has built a strong career as a performer and educator. He has appeared on Dutch stages, radio, and TV—including North Sea Jazz Festival and “Vrije Geluiden.” With Træben, he’s released three albums (Nordic Project 2009, Push 2012, Looking at the Storm 2014) and toured across Scandinavia, the Benelux region, and Canada. His composition Top Dog earned an honourable mention at the 2014 International Songwriting Contest.

In 2014, tired of teaching mostly pop and rock songs, Jens began sharing jazz lessons online. Nudged by fellow guitarist Chris Zoupa, he launched his YouTube channel, which quickly grew into one of the most trusted jazz guitar resources on the platform. He has since created two online courses—The Jazz Guitar Roadmap and Jazz Chord Craftsmanship—and published two instructional books through the Amazon series Learn How to Play Jazz Guitar.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your craft, Jens’ content is a must for any jazz guitarist. Check out his website and social platforms to start learning today.