Drummer and composer Stefan Pasborg began his drumming career at the tender age of three, when he was given his first drum kit. And the gift didn't come from just anyone, but from the well-known Danish drummer Alex Riel, who also became Pasborg's first teacher. Pasborg studied at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory from 1996-2002, where he met the Lithuanian saxophonist Liudas Mockunas, with whom he has led several groups since 1999. Together, they won the Jazz Discovery of the Year prize at the DMA jazz awards in 2004 for their album 'Toxikum'. Pasborg also received a prize as New Name of the Year. At the music conservatory, Pasborg also met a number of other musicians of his own age, each of whom has since made an impact on the Danish jazz scene. In 2003, 13 of these young musicians joined together in the recording company ILK (Independent Label of Copenhagen); a project in which Pasborg has been the driving force. Besides his collaborations with Mockunas in Toxikum and Rød Planet, Pasborg also performs in such groups as Ibrahim Electric, Il Bastardo and Ictus. In 2004, the latter group was extended from a trio to a quartet with the addition of French guitarist Marc Ducret, whom Pasborg met during a lengthy stay in Paris. Stefan Pasborg has also played with other musicians associated with free jazz, including Michael Formanek, Jesper Zeuthen and Peter Friis Nielsen. Besides the two DMA awards, Pasborg has also received a number of other Danish and European prizes, and has toured across much of Europe. By Tine Godsk Hansen Published 2007 This article is provided in cooperation with DR - www.dr.dk/musik/

Stefan Pasborg was born 6 December 1974 More information and discography at www.pasborg.dk www.ibrahimelectric.dk