Biography

Downloadable biography text in both English and Danish can be downloaded from the 'press' section.

The Danish pianist and composer Rasmus Riis (b. 1978) is mostly known for his work in his own trio with bass player Kasper Lysemose and drummer Brian Agha who since 2000 has been developing a unique style of lyrical, improvised music. His work also include collaborations with the experimental duo Sumi and recently with saxophonist Lotte Anker.

Since the debut album "Enter" (with Lysemose and Agha) from 2003, which consists of both lyrical compositions and free improvisation, his focus has increasingly moved towards free improvisation - a development that can be followed on Riis/Lysemose/Agha's two subsequent releases, "Slowbop" from 2005 and "rla_dg341.1" from 2007.

Riis has been called "one of the most visionary musicians in Denmark" (Rasmus Steffensen, Geiger), and his music has been described as "intensely communicative with an almost unstoppable lyrical undercurrent" (Kjeld Frandsen, Berlingske Tidende).

Over the years, Riis has become more involved in the production aspect of music. He recorded and produced the latest album from Riis/Lysemose/Agha - a production that resulted in the Danish magazine Geiger calling him a "major league sound wizard".

Riis is also the founder of the independent record label "signals" which, apart from Riis/Lysemose/Agha's albums, has released Sumi's self-titled debut album and a cd with the Danish free jazz trio Textil.