About Me
Biographical résumé
Pianist, composer and music arranger.
He is one of Norway's great modern jazz pianists, known for his a very special and memorable touch.His discography is extensive with a long list of LP and CD recordings.
He is also well known for his skills as a performer, arranger, and composer with a wide range.
His compositions span widly:He has written music for over 50 plays - from:
Ibsen's "Kongsemnerne" (The Pretenders), "The Glass Menasgerie", "King Lear" to "Kuler i Solnedgangen", and he has composed music for films and television drama.
He has composed for a range of ensembles from symphony orchestras, choirs, string quartets, guitar and voices, solo flute and jazz ensembles.
Some few of his compositions: "Syner" based on Oscar Wilde's "Requiem", "Dogn", "Epilog" written in memory of Bill Evans, "The Old Paradise". His composition "Fiin Gammel" was recorded on the LP/CD "Sjargong Vaalereng" with the late actor Rolf Soeder. This melody has become an Osloclassic. His 20 minute long composistion “Duomo†for Boys Choir and Symphony Orchestra was last year performed in Norway’s largest cathedral Nidarosdomen, and sent as a radio-concert at NRK (Norway’s National Radio and TV Broadcasting).
Kapstad was for one period chairman of the organization "Ny Musikk" (New Music).
He regularly hosted programmes, and appeared as band leader on NRK. He was amongst other things initiator of programs like "Musikerhjornet" (Musicians corner).
His collaboration with the poet Rolf Jacobsen was based on friendship and mutual respect, leading to the LP "Til Jorden".
For many years now he has worked closely with the Norwegian poet Jan Erik Vold, resulting in altogether 9 CD productions.
The list of international musicians he has worked with is long.It contains musicians like:
Chet Baker, Red Mitchell, Al Cohn, Barney Kessel, Bob Brookmeyer, Bob Dorough, Louis Stewart, Toots Thielemans, Major Holly, George Masso, Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, Philip Cathrine, Nisse Sandstr..m, Jan Allan, Bernt Rosengren, Mads Vinding, Sture Nordin and Georg Riedel to mention some.
Egil Kapstad has also received various prestigous awards and prizes:
Norsk Jazzforbund's Buddystatuette in 1977.The Nopa prize - The composition of the year for his composition "Epilog" (In memory of Bill Evans) in 1983.
Oslo City's Cultureprize in 1984.From Fund for performing art he was awarded with Gammleng-prisen in 1985.
Spellemannsprisen (The Norwegian music award/Grammy) for best jazz album in 1989.Spellemannsprisen (The Norwegian music award/Grammy) for best jazz album in 1994.
Awarded a Government Grant for the rest of his career!
