Dutch double bassist, composer and producer Jasper Somsen (1973) graduated in both Jazz and Classical double bass. He collaborated amongst many others with Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Lynne Arriale, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, E.J. Strickland, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband, Gabriele Mirabassi and Supertramp saxophone/clarinet player John Helliwell. Besides a performer, Jasper Somsen is a renowned studio producer. As a double bassist, composer and/or (co-)producer he was responsible for the highly acclaimed albums by amongst others Enrico Pieranunzi, John Helliwell, Bob Sheppard, Lynne Arriale and Jean-Michel Pilc for Challenge Records International. Jasper performes world wide and can be heard on more than 45 albums, video and film music scores. Outside a busy playing and studio producing schedule, Jasper divides his time between composing and teaching. Since 2021 he’s teaching at the ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem (NL). In 2020 Jasper Somsen won the Dutch EDISON AWARD (Jazz/World Music) for the album “Close To Me” as a member of the Maria Mendes Band, feat. John Beasley and the Metropole Orkest. One of the tracks of the album were nominated for a Latin Grammy 2020 and an American Grammy 2021. WWW.JASPERSOMSEN.COM