Biography - JASPER SOMSEN

Dutch double bassist, composer and producer Jasper Somsen (1973) graduated in both Jazz and Classical double bass. He is an open minded versatile musician. Best known as a Jazz musician his field of interest and expertise also includes cross overs to classical, pop, world and film music and theater productions.

Jasper has collaborated with some of the very best musicians on the international jazz scene including Peter Erskine, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joey Calderazzo, Jeff Ballard, John Beasley, Jean-Michel Pilc, Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Seamus Blake, Jorge Rossy, Kendrick Scott, Justin Faulkner, André Ceccarelli, Gary Husband, Gabriele Mirabassi and Paolo Fresu.

Besides a performer and composer, Jasper Somsen is a Challenge Records artist and a renowned studio producer.

Most of Jasper's compositions can be heard on his albums. His compositions "Silk Threads" and "Love Waiting Endlessly" (album: Common View) reached more than 10 million listeners on Spotify. His albums "Voyage In Time" and "Traveller's Ways" are highly praised by both the audience and the international press.

With the Portuguese Jazz and Fado vocalist Maria Mendes he won the Dutch EDISON AWARD 2020 (Jazz/World Music) and was four times nominated for both the American and Latin GRAMMY, in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Jasper performs world wide and can be heard on approx. 50 albums, video and film music scores.

Outside a busy playing and studio producing schedule he is an educator at the ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem (NL) and the general director of the foundation Cultural City of Wageningen, in his hometown.

Media quotes

Somsen’s features a punchy dancing tone while never losing the questing feel or dancing emotions the whole journey suggests.
The New York City Jazz Record (USA)

Jasper’s soaring lyricism and deep swing places him among today’s finest European double bassists.
Larry Abrams (USA)

Bassist Somsen’s his bass lines swinging flawlessly.
Arts Journal (USA)

Somsen’s bass solo probes the lines with creativity and respect … one brings a smile to your face.
Notes On Jazz (USA)

Somsen’s poetic melodies seem to float.
Trouw (NL)

Somsen his expertise is in tonal purity and a full sound. He caresses the sound as it journeys into an inner consciousness of imagination.
Marlbank (UK)

One lingering composition followed by another … a true pleasure to listen to, over and over again.
Rootstime (BE)

Somsen displays outstanding technique and melodic sense.
Jazz History Online (USA)

Jasper Somsen creates his spherical Jazz micro cosmos carefully and precise.
MultiKulti Project (POL)

Perfect amalgam for a music that’s highly personal.
Music Zoom (IT)

Somsen playing both rhythmically and harmonically the right tones at the right place.
Jazzpodium (GER)

Seemingly effortless he actively responds and counters new ideas with his trademark for sensibility and lyricism.
Donata van de Ven (NL)

Releases

2025 (expected)
Jasper Somsen: "Invites Anton Goudsmit" (Challenge Records)

2024
Jan Gunnar Hoff | Jasper Somsen | Carsten Lindholm: "Northwest" (Challenge Records)
Paulus Schäfer - Joost Zoeteman Quartet: "Fratellanza" (Challenge Records)
Enrico Pieranunzi | Jasper Somsen | Gabriele Mirabassi: "Traveller's Ways" (Challenge Records)
Mike Boddé, Johan Hoogeboom, Burny Bos: "Dikkie Dik en de Verdwenen Knuffel"

2023
Jasper Somsen: "Invites Paul van der Feen & Bert van den Brink" (Challenge Records)
Johan Hoogwijs : “Alles Is Nog Steeds Zoals Het Zou Moeten Zijn” (Dutch Film Works, both double bass and bass guitar)

2022
John Helliwell – Jasper Somsen feat. Hans Vroomans & Marcel Serierse: “Don’t Ever Leave Me”(Challenge Records)
Maria Mendes & Metropole Orchestra: "Saudade - Colour of Love" (Challenge Records)
Latin & American GRAMMY nominations "Come Que Voz"
Enrico Pieranunzi & Jasper Somsen: “Voyage In Time” (Challenge Records)
Lynne Arriale Trio feat. Jasper Somsen & EJ Strickland: "The Lights Are Always On" (Challenge Records)
Top 20 Best Albums 2022 - JazzWeek Radio Charts (USA)

2021
Enrico Pieranunzi & Bert Joris – “Afterglow”, duo album produced by Jasper Somsen (Challenge Records)
Silent Live: “Twee Soorten Adem” (Dutch jazz & poetry – Challenge Records)

2020
Johan Hoogwijs : “Alles Is Als Het Zou Moeten Zijn” (Dutch Film Works, both double bass and bass guitar)
Enrico Pieranunzi | Jasper Somsen | Jorge Rossy: “Common View” (Challenge Records)
Lynne Arriale Trio feat. Jasper Somsen & EJ Strickland: “Chimes Of Freedom” (Challenge Records)
Paulus Schäfer/Joost Zoeteman Quartet: “Django” (Sinti Music)

2019
Bob Sheppard, feat. John Beasley, Jasper Somsen & Kendrick Scott: “The Fine Line” (Challenge Records)
Maria Mendes & Metropole Orchestra: “Close To Me” (Justin Time)
EDISON Award 2020. Latin & American GRAMMY nominations "Asas Fechadas"
Film Orchestra The Sprockets: “Eine Tolle Nacht” (Arte/ZDF)

2018
Lynne Arriale Trio feat. Jasper Somsen & Jasper van Hulten: “Give Us These Days” (Challenge Records)
Jean-Michel Pilc: “Parallel” – solo piano album, produced by Jasper Somsen (Challenge Records)
Pieter Bast ESP :”Le Condition Humaine” (Buzz Music)
Christian Doepke feat. Bob Sheppard, Jasper Somsen & Jasper van Hulten: “Patience” (ZenneZ Records)

2017
Jasper Somsen Trio feat. Jean Michel Pilc & André Ceccarelli: “A New Episode In Life part I” (Challenge)
Jasper Somsen Trio feat. Jean Michel Pilc & André Ceccarelli: “A New Episode In Life part II” (Challenge)
Vera Naus: “Young Heart” (ZenneZ Records)
Willem Hellbreker Quartet: “Balanced Action” (Hellbreker)

2016
Luca Gianquitto: “Nibiru” (Independent)
Jan Verwey Trio: “Dream Dancing” (OAP Records)
Enrico Pieranunzi Trio: “European Trio” (Jazz Italiano Live – La Repubblica)
JD Walter & the Michiel Buursen Trio: “Standards at Qubic” (Qubic Music)
Maurice Rugebregt & Jasper Somsen: “Two’s Blues (a tribute to Jim Hall)” (MauRecords)

2015
Enrico Pieranunzi Trio: “Tales From The Unexpected” (Intuition/WDR)

2014
Michiel Buursen Trio: “Awakenications” (MBM&P)
Pieter Bast ESP Quintet: “Midnight Song” (Buzz Music)

2013
Jasper Somsen Group: “Sardegna” (Challenge Records)

2010
Jasper Somsen Group: “Dreams, Thoughts & Poetry (The Music of Enrico Pieranunzi)”(Challenge Records)
Willem Hellbreker/Frits Landesbergen Saxvibes: “It’s Allright With Me” (Baileo)
Maria Markesini: “Jazz at the Concertgebouw” (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

2009
Trio Bert Lochs feat. Lydia van Dam: “Live” (Music Under Construction)
Film Orchestra The Sprockets: “The Three Must Get Theres (Max Linder)” (Lobster)

2008
Michiel Buursen: “Dualogy (The Music of A.C. Jobim)” (MBM&P)

2007
Trio Bert Lochs: “Mouth Pieces” (Music Under Construction)
Trio Jan Pilon: “Architects In Jazz (The Music of Ellington & Strayhorn)” (New Standard Records)

2001 – 2006
New Standard Trio: “Nightshift Thunder” (New Standard Records)
Trio Jan Pilon feat. Eline Gemerts: “Is You Is” (Independent)
Film Orchestra The Sprockets: “Domzien In Verwondering (750 anniversary of the city of Utrecht)” (‘t Hoogt)
New Standard Trio: “Footsteps (The Music of Sting)” (New Standard Records)
Frido Ter Beek: “Ahuila Maguilé”(Alfajor Records)
Bert Lochs Inquisitive Quartet (BLIQ): “BAQ” (Music Under Construction)
TETTERO: “Unicycle” (Independent)

Media Info & Technical Rider

TECHNICAL RIDER - Jasper Somsen (PDF download)
MEDIA INFO - Jasper Somsen (PDF download)

Equipment

Double Bass
Jerome Thibouville-Lamy, Paris (original 4 string bass, build approx. 1895)

Bow
Roger Lotte (French)

Double Bass Strings
Thomastik - Belcanto (medium)

Transducer
David Gage "The Realist"

Stage & Home Studio Microphone
Audio Technica AT 4040

Bass Guitar
Sire - Marcus Miller V10 +S4/NT

Bass Guitar Strings
D'Addario EXL 165

Amplifier
MARKBASS Little Mark 58R amplifier + MB58R 102 Pure cabinet

Luthiers
Harry Jansen (Double Bass)
Henk te Hietbrink (Bows)