MY PHOTOS

 

Bertoncelj < bur-TON-tsel >

 

Gasper Bertoncelj was born in 1978 in Kranj, Slovenia. His musical path began with the trumpet and continued at the age of thirteen when his mother bought him his first drumset. Gasper proceeded to join the City’s Marching Orchestra and his first jazz band. While in high school, Gasper regularly took private lessons from the best drummers and percussionists in Slovenia and started to familiarize himself with the Slovenian music scene.

After high school Gasper decided to pursue a professional career in music. He moved to Linz, Austria and studied music and drums at the Bruckner Konservatorium. There Gasper had the opportunity to study with world-reknowned musicians such as Doug Hammond, Allan Praskin, Jeff Beaudreaux, Harry Sokal, and Peter Tuscher. In June 2002 Gasper received a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance with honors.

In the fall of 2002 Gasper moved to New York City and began to study at The City College of The City University of New York with scholarships from the Slovenian government–Ministry of Culture and Ministry for School and Sports. There he studied with professors such as John Patitucci, Victor Lewis, Billy Drummond, Andy Watson, Scott Reeves, and Fred Hersch. On June 3, 2005, Gasper received his Master of Arts degree from City College.

Gasper was performing regularly while attending school and has continued to do so after graduating. During his time in New York City he has performed with a variety of musicians and bands including, Reggie Workman, Sheila Jordan, Lew Tabackin, Boris Kozlov, Vincent Herring, Jeremy Pelt, Ed Schuller, Grant Stewart, Jonathan Kreisberg, William Ash, Miles Griffith, Marco Panascia, Alex Harding, Walt Szymanski, Yosvany Terry, Tom Rhodes, Jimmy “Preacher” Robins, John Oszajca, Rick Royale, Doug Siegel, Liz Clark, Yoke, Inventing Eve, Peter Silver’s Big Band, 7 & Counting, Whisky Rebellion, and The New York Connection Band.

Gasper has also graced the stages with many of the European jazz artists in Slovenia and Europe. Some of them are Peter Mihelich, Renato Chicco, Bosko Petrovic, Robert Anchipolovsky, Kristjan Randalu, Tony Pancella, Jure Pukl, Igor Lumpert, Igor Bezget, Greentown Jazz Band, Stjepko Gut, Alan Praskin, Lenart Krecic, Blaz Trcek, Nikola Matosic, Robert Jukic, Tal Ronen.

Gasper continues to perform with many of the artists and bands mentioned above. The future looks very interesting for Gasper as he takes on the roles of leader, producer, composer, arranger and drummer on his debut recording CAUTION! Hard Hat Area! from New York City based label, Arabesque Recordings, 2008. In the Fall of the same year his second album Swingers Of Jazz was released by Slovene label Goga Records.
Gasper is also growing as an educator and clinician as he is promoting his brush techniques in workshops. He is also finishing his brush book.
In 2010 Gasper added another country to call home next to New York and Slovenia – Israel. In times of globalization it's important for Gasper to expand the working territory and to meet new people and musicians that will connect with him musically.
Check out his updates and projects on three continents of the world on his web sites.

 

RESUME download

BIOGRAPHY download

BIOGRAFIJA dolpoteg