Drummer, pianist, composer, band leader etc. Danish west coast jazz has become a vital phenomenon on the young Danish jazz scene – and Kresten Osgood is one of the most prominent members of the gang of musicians from West Jutland who currently dominate Danish jazz. Kresten Osgood's parents are Danish-American; he learned to play drums and piano before he even started school, and grew up in a town with a well-stocked jazz collection at the local library. Kresten Osgood borrowed all the best recordings under the expert guidance of a hip librarian, and has been totally addicted to the music ever since. Osgood began his musical studies at Holstebro Music School, after which he attended the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen from 1997-2002. From the middle of the 90s, however, he was already performing at most of the small Copenhagen jazz venues, and guested on various CD recordings while still a student. Osgood is that rare beast, a multitalented drummer who also plays piano and several other instruments, and writes music himself. Drummer Billy Higgins was among his early sources of inspiration. Kresten Osgood made his debut on his own label with his own group, "- Og hvad er klokken?", back in 1999, and since then he has been unstoppable. He practises and respects the entire jazz tradition while demonstrating an inquisitive and questing approach to the whole spectrum from blues, jazz, funk, hip-hop and techno to free improvisation. Osgood enjoys playing in duos together with such giants of avant-garde as Peter Brötzman, William Parks and Derek Bailey, and also met and performed with a not inconsiderable number of cutting-edge jazz musicians during his period in New York, notably the saxophonist Tim Berne. In Denmark, he has also organised concerts by John Tchicai and Oliver Lake. Osgood cultivates an upbeat rap language of his own invention in the group Ikscheltaschel, together with his cousin, the pianist Søren Kjærgaard. With his own groups, Osgood also likes to play compositions by lesser-known and marginal jazz musicians. He has a special weakness for the organ tradition in jazz, and was able to realise a dream last year when he organised a short tour in Denmark with the Hammond B-3 ace Dr Lonnie Smith and saxophonist Michael Blake. This gave rise to the double CD 'Hammond Rens', financed by Osgood and released on his own label via the new musicians’ co-operative ILK, which Osgood helped to found. Drummer Kresten Osgood is a versatile and highly talented instrumentalist with feeling, a marvellously swinging beat and a sensitive ear for what is happening in the music. Osgood is the sound of jazz – and much more. By Tine Godsk Hansen Published 2007 This article is provided in cooperation with DR - www.dr.dk/musik/

Kresten Osgood was born 7 December 1976 in Lemvig More information and diskography at www.osgood.funky.dk ilkmusic.com