Kasper Villaume....

One of Denmarks leading young piano talents with international recognition both with his own groups and as a sideman. Kasper Villaume has won several prices in denmark and internationally. Kasper Villaume has studied with a.o. Kenny Werner, Ellis Marsalis and at the Rythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen. He has released several price winning cd’s as a leader and as a sideman.
Kasper Villaume is today one of the most used pianist of the Danish jazz scene. He has played and recorded with a.o. Ed Thigpen, Leroy Jones, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Allan Bothcinsky, Danny Moss, Alex Riel, Jesper Lundgaard, Katrine Madsen, Jesper Thilo, Bob Rockwel, Bent Jædig.

MILESTONES
Kasper Villaume Trio tours coming up in Germany, Poland, Thailand and Japan.
Featured on new Chris Minh Doky cd on Blue Note 2006.
2006 “Hands” recieves award as ‘Jazz Album Of The Year” – audience and critics poll at the Danish Music Award Show.
2006 Kasper Villaume trio records new album for Japanese label Marshmellow Records. To be released summer 2006 (exclusively in Japan)
2006 “Hands” cd sells more that 4000 ex. In the first 3 months
2006 Featured on new Amnesty International cd with many popular danish jazz and pop artists.
2005 “Hands” recives prize (DKK. 50.000) as Jazz cd of the year 2005 from “Statens Kunstfond”.
2005 Kasper Villaume is selected as one of the danish jazz groups to be promoted internationally by the Danish Jazz Federation
2005 Kasper Villaume Trio tours Denmark, Sweden and Germany.
2005 New cd out “Kasper Villaume – Hands” feat. Chris Potter, Chris Minh Doky and Ali Jacksson
2005 Joins the swedish saxophonist Fredrik Kronkvist’s internationally acclaimed quartet.
2005 Recieves the international jazz-prize Django D’or for best young jazz musician of the year in Denmark 2005.
2005 Produces and play on new album with singer Malene Mortensen featuring bassist Avishai Cohen. Release march 2005.
2004-fall Concerts in a.o. Finland, Norway, Germany & Sweden. Solopiano performances, tour witj Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra, tour with Chris Minh Doky Trio.Severeral CD projects, both as pianist, composer and as producer
2004 Japan tour with own trio, and saxophonist Bob Rockwell
2004 Records with hip-hop group “Outlandish” for new album and single release. Wins several prices.
2004 Records new trio Cd “117 Ditmas Avenue” for Stunt Label in New York with drummer-legend Jeff Tain Watts and producer Chris Mihn Doky.
2004 Is nominated for a Danish Jazz-Grammy for the cd “Bob Rockwell – Bob’s Wilder”.
2004 Kasper Villaume Quartet is house band at a “Danish All Star Jazz Galla” at the Midem Festival in Cannes, France.
2003 Second cd with ”Kasper Villaume Quartet” is released on the Stunt label. Great reviews, and extensive touring in 2003-2004.
2003 Pianist in the new super group: ”Ed Thigpen Scan-tet” with Ed Thigpen, Jens Winther, TomasFranck, Jesper Bodilsen og Kasper Villaume. Cd out december 2003
2003 CD releases with a.o. ”Kasper Villaume Quartet” (Stunt), ”Bob Rockwell Kvintet”, ”DR Big Band”, ”Mårten Lundgren Quintet”.
2002 Records first “Kasper Villaume Trio” record “Estate” for the japanese label
Marshmellow Records. Release summer 2002.
2001 Extensive touring with a.o. Jimmy Heath, Leroy Jones and Benny Golson.
2001 Reciewed a Danish Jazz Grammy for “best newcommer in jazz” for the album “Kasper Villaume Quartet - Outrun”.
2000 Released the debut album “Outrun” with “Kasper Villaume Quartet” on Stunt Records.
1999 Graduated diploma exam after 5 years at The Rythmic Musicconservatory.
1997 Received scholarship from “Sonning Foundation” for studies in Africa and USA. Studied here a.o. with Ellis Marsalis and Kenny Werner.
1996 Won 2nd prize in the 13. Jazz Piano Contest in Vilnius, Lithauen.
1995 Won the Gold- and Talent Award in the “Berlingske Tidendes Rythmic Competition”
1995 Started playing regualy at the famous jazz club “La Fontaine” in Copenhagen
http://www.villaume.dk/