Carsten Lindholm is a Danish drummer, composer and producer born in the small town of Kerteminde on the island Fünen.
He moved to Copenhagen in 1990 and began studying at the music concervatory D.A.R.K. He later took private lessons with Jazzlegend Ed Thigpen, Aage Tanggaard at the Rhythmic Conservatory, professor at the Royal Classic Conservatory Bent Lylloff, New Orleans drummer Jeff Boudreaux and a lot of other danish fusion drummers.
In 1990 he contacted drummer Peter Erskine in order to take private lessons. However, at that time it was difficult for them to match schedules, so he actually never got to study with him. But Carsten got a supportive motivating mentor and penpal instead, who he has met during concerts and studio work in New York, Monterey and Copenhagen.
In 1996 Carsten went to Vallekilde, a Danish Jazz summercamp, where he met finish drummer Jukkis Uotila, Swedish bassplayer Lars Danielsson and Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer – strong personalites, who became great mentors and inspired him to change his musical direction and go into Nordic Jazz music.
In 1998 he went to New York for 3 months to check out the musical level of the town and to study the South Indian rhythm-language Konnakol. Carsten also travelled to meet Jazz-vibist and founder of Steps Ahead, Mike Mainieri, who had been his hero since he first heard Steps Ahead. Mainieri had made a huge impact on Carsten with his melodic, sophisticated and dynamic expression of music. Not unexpected, he also was a great personality.
Back in Denmark Carsten started playing at different Jazz clubs, receptions and weddings in Copenhagen. Here he met a lot of great musicians like Luther Thomas and Jens Melgaard who, among other things, taught him to be enthusiastic for the music and give himself 100 % no matter on stage or in the practice-room. The sudden death of Jens Melgaard drove Carsten to write music and so he started the Tribute project.
In 2011 the “Tribute” album was released, based on a tribute to people (living or dead) who had made a deep impact on Carstens life.
The filmic music is a mixture of: Jazz, Drum`n`bass, ambient soundscapes and Indian tabla beats based on a simple Nordic melody.
His music mentors and influences for this album counts: Sting, Erik Truffaz, Nils Petter Molvaer, Jan Garbarek, Jon Hassell, Eivind Aarset, Bugge Wesseltoft, John Coltrane, Bill Laswell and Jojo Mayer.
In December 2016 Carsten released “EP Ballads” on Itunes & Amazon, which is a compilation of different recordings with his Norwegian and Danish friends, focusing on the trompet.
In October 2017 he released his 3rd album “Indispiration” on the German label JazzNArts Records.
The music is best described as minimalistic Nordic Jazz mixed with Indian rhythmic compostions. It features 15 of his favourite musicians from 6 different countries as: Erik Truffaz (CH) John Beasley (US), Reggie Washington (US/BE) and Pete Judge/Jim Barr (UK).
The compositions are influenced by Esbjorn Svennson, Brad Mehldau, Steps Ahead, Jan Garbarek, Manu Katche, Bugge Wesseltoft, Trilok Gurtu, Arve Henriksen, Erik Truffaz a.o.
With the album “Indispiration” Carsten Lindholm wants to set focus on the importance of inner peace, which he finds is needed more than ever in the world today – as well as the importance of a cultural open mind between countries.
In 2017 Carsten also started the project Carsten Lindholm Trio that currently consists of Pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff (NO), Bass player Reggie Washington (US/BE) and Carsten Lindholm himself on drums.
Members of the band varies according to where the focus is, but in common is a collection of dedicated, dynamic, professional musicians, with a strong expression – and a mutual interest in jazz music. This carried by especially inspirers as Esbjorn Svensson, Brad Mehldau, Jan Garbarek, Lars Danielsson, Wolfgang Haffner and Erik Truffaz.
The trio is known for their unique ability to fuse Nordic Jazz with Indian rhythmics, based on Carsten Lindholms study of Konnakol. All played with a soulful bass, dynamic drums, a heartfelt strong expressive piano – and of course, with focus on the audience.
Carsten Lindholm Trio performed at venues: Bix Jazzclub, Stuttgart (DE), Theatre de Caen (FR), Jazz Club Montmartre, Copenhagen (DK) and ElbJazz, Hamburg (DE) in connection with the release of album Indispiration.
I 2019 Carsten released the single Spring Cruise and in 2020 the single Uninvited, a cover of the song by Alanis Morissette – both in digital versions on Danish label Gateway.
In 2021 the single Roxanne was released by Carsten Lindholm Trio. Roxanne is a cover of the famous song by The Police.
In 2022 you will find Carsten Lindholm on tour with Carsten Lindholm Trio – mostly in Germany.
More music and gigs are in the pipeline.
Carsten Lindholm C.V.
1979-1986:
Kerteminde School Orchestre (drums), Nyborg Music School (drums) – private lessons w. Ulf Scott
1989:
Holstebro Folk high School (DK), Music & Art
1990-1996:
Private lessons (drums) with Ed Thigpen, Aage Tanggaard, Hans Fagt, Bent Lylloff (Professor at the Royal Music Conservatory, DK), Jonas Johansen and Thomas Blachman.
Studies at Jazz Academy Nøddeknækkeren, Copenhagen (DK)
Studies at D.A.R.K – The alternative Rhythmic Conservatory, Copenhagen (DK)
1996-1998:
Vallekilde Folk high School, workshops with Lars Danielsson, Nils Petter Molvær, Jukkis Uotila
Drummers Collective New York – private lessons with Ian Froman
1999-2001:
Study in Indian rythmics with Jeff Boudreaux (Brian Blade) and Henrik Andersen.
1990- Band projects as drummer:
Jazz recording with Morten Kargaard & Morten Lundsby
Hunny Bunny (folk/pop band)
Reception trio with among others Doug Raney, Hans Oxmond, Ole Skipper, Morten Grønvad: Kapelmester & trommeslager (Realbook Jazz)
Reception trio with Poul Erik Christensen, Thorkild Christensen (Realbook Jazz)
John Sunds Special Venture with among others Ayi Solomon, André Sørensen, Thomas Fog (Fusions Jazz)
La Fontaine (DK), house orchestra (Jazz)
Kinguru with Jacob Kolkur, Anders Blomquist (Rock trio)
Børneteatret Christania (DK), house orchestra with among others Luther Thomas, Mikkel Mark, Krister Brødsgaard/René Gledorf etc.
Nordic Light with Hans Oxmond, Benjamin Koppel, Johan Segerberg, Henning Flintholm (Jazz arranged children songs)
Jungletribe with Hans Oxmond, Anders T. Andersen, Kristor Brødsgaard (Own Project – Electronic/Acustic Jazz)
Four Corners with Hans Oxmond, Jakob Høgsbro, Peter Hansen (Acustic Jazz)
Konrad Korabiewskis Electronica project, sideman. Played at Wundergrund Festival, Copenhagen (DK)
Carsten Lindholm Trio (2017) with Jan Gunnar Hoff, Reggie Washington a.o. Nordic Jazz with Indian rhythmics
Hoff Somsen Lindholm (2022) with Jan Gunnar Hoff (NO) piano, Jasper Somsen (NL) upright bass, Carsten Lindholm (DK) drums. Nordic Jazz with American / European elements
Forkelid Nordic (2023) by Adam Forkelid (SE) piano and composer with Thomas Markusson (SE) double bass, Carsten Lindholm (DK) drums. Innovative Scandinavian Jazz of the best kind
Always open to new ideas and music collaborations, please see website for current
2011- Releases:
Tribute (2011, Album) with artists as Eivind Aarset, Audun Erlien, Joakim Frøystein, Hans Oxmond, Anders T Andersen, Rene Damsbak, Kristor Brødsgaard, Jens Gunnar Halle, Thomas Siffling, Rasmus Bøgelund, Kristor Brødsgaard, Hans Emborg, Klavs Hovman, Mark Lorenzen, Thorkild Christensen, Mathias Grove. Carsten Lindholm (Composer, producer, drummer). Released on Gateway Music (DK)
Ballads (2016, EP) with artists as Kristor Brødsgaard, René Damsbak, Arne Hiorth etc. Carsten Lindholm (Composer, producer, drummer). Released on Gateway Music (DK)
Indispiration (2017-2018, Album) with artists as Erik Truffaz, John Beasley, Reggie Washington, Christopher Dell, Jim Barr, Pete Judge (Portishead), Gunnar Halle, Thomas Siffling, Rasmus Bøgelund, Kristor Brødsgaard, Hans Emborg, Klavs Hovman, Mark Lorenzen, Thorkild Christensen, Mathias Grove etc. Carsten Lindholm (Composer, producer, drummer). Released on JazznArts (DE).
Spring Cruise (2019, Single) with Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Kristor Brødsgaard (bass). Carsten Lindholm(Composer, producer, drummer). Released on Gateway Music (DK).
Uninvited* (2020, Single) Carsten Lindholm Trio with Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Reggie Washington (bass). Carsten Lindholm (Arranger, bandleader, drummer). Released on Gateway Music (DK). *Cover of Alanis Morissette
Roxanne* (2021, Single) Carsten Lindholm Trio m. Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Reggie Washington (bass). Carsten Lindholm (Arranger, bandleader, drummer). Released on Gateway Music (DK). *Cover of song by The Police
King of Pain* (2022, Single) Carsten Lindholm Trio m. Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Reggie Washington (bass). Carsten Lindholm (Arranger, bandleader, drummer). Released on Gateway Music (DK). *Cover of song by The Police
Daylight Savings (June 6, 2022 – Gateway music, single) Carsten Lindholm Trio with Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Kristor Brødsgaard (bass). Carsten Lindholm (Composer, producer, drummer). Recorded live at a concert at Jazzhus Montmartre
Alle har en drøm* (Single. Released 21st December 2022 – from Gateway music). Carsten Lindholm Trio with Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Kristor Brødsgaard (bass). Carsten Lindholm (Composer, producer, drummer). Recorded live at a concert at Jazzhus Montmartre. *Cover of song by Kasper Winding (DK)
Northwest (2024, 6th September from Challenge Records (NL). Hoff Somsen Lindholm with Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Jasper Somsen (double bass), Carsten Lindholm (drums)
Ferrante (2024, 11th April, single) Carsten Lindholm Trio with Jan Gunnar Hoff (piano), Reggie Washington (bass), Carsten Lindholm (drums, composer)
More music to be released, see all music available here
You are welcome to download C.V. below: