Danish bass player Ørsted Pedersen was celebrated in the loftiest jazz circles for his virtuoisic technique--he was gifted with a deft and frenetic right hand and an ear for highly melodic basslines. He displayed an amazing facility on the bass while still in his mid-teens, and made his first record at the age of 14. He began playing at Copenhagen’s noted Montmartre Club in early 1961, accompanying and occasionally recording with visiting American jazz stars, including Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, Bud Powell, and Bill Evans. He sealed his international reputation with a long stint with Oscar Peterson that continued well into the '80s. He also recorded a number of fine duo albums with Kenny Drew, Joe Pass, Archie Shepp, and Philip Catherine, and as band leader until his death in April 2005.