FREDERIK VILLMOW is a jazz drummer, composer and bandleader.
He was born in 1993 in Cologne/Germany,
has a master degree from Jazzlinja ved NTNU in Trondheim,
and currently lives in Oslo, Norway.
In 2019, he released his debut album as a bandleader, entitled
Frederik Villmow Quartet feat. Tomas Franck – Live in Copenhagen,
recorded live at one of the finest jazzvenues in Europe,
Jazzhus Montmartre.
Live in Copenhagen featured Berlin-based saxophonist Marc Doffey on tenor- and sopranosax, Carl Winther from Denmark on piano, Norwegian bassist Julian Haugland and special guest Copenhagen-based Tomas Franck on tenorsax.
Live in Copenhagen was selected as Best Newcomer of the year by jazz journalist Hank Msiao (Taiwan) and received great response from the International press with positive reviews from Japan Jazz Magazine,
Jazz Life Japan, Jazzthing Germany, JazzDK, and UK Vibe.
His second release Motion featured Vigleik Storaas on piano and Bjørn Marius Hegge on bass.
The album received warm words from a.o. Jazz Journal (UK) & Salt peanuts (SWE) who described the album as "one of the most beautiful piano trio recordings in a long time". His third album release, Momentum, featured Olga Konkova on piano, Erlend Kongtorp and Gisle Johansen on saxophone, and Julian Haugland on bass.
Momentum has received positive reviews from the International press as well, a. o. from Salt peanuts (SWE), Adam Baruch (ISR/PL), Dagsavisen (NO) and was chosen within SKJAZZ (SVK) Top 10 Albums of 2023.
In march 2024 his fourth album as a bandleader, entitled
'New York Session', has been released on LP (limited edition) and all
digital platforms, recorded in New York City featuring
Nicole Glover on tenorsax, David Kikoski on piano & Alexander Claffy on bass,
released on Frederik Villmows own record label, Heartbeat Music.
LPs are available in the webshop.
Frederik Villmow has worked with a wide variety of musicians and ensembles such as
Tomas Franck (DK), Carl Winther (DK), Alexander Claffy (USA), Nicole Glover (USA), David Kikoski (USA),
Bjørn Vidar Solli (NO), Will Vinson (UK), Vigleik Storaas (NO), John Pål Inderberg (NO), Cecilie Grundt (NO),
Dave Edge (UK/NO), Frode Kjekstad (NO), Eric Alexander (USA), Knut Riisnæs (NO), Sigurdur Flosason (IS), Andrés Thor (IS),
Olga Konkova (RUS/NO), Gisle Johansen (NO), Felix Peikli (NO), Vanisha Gould (USA), Hetty Kate (AU/UK),
Benny Benack III (USA), Stella Cole (USA), Jerry Lu (GER), Felix Moseholm (DK), Marc Doffey (GER), Julius Gawlik (GER),
Cappella Amsterdam (NL), Bendik Hofseth (NO), Mats Holmquist Big Band (SWE), Alan Skidmore (UK),
Metropole Orkest Academy conducted by Vince Mendoza (NL),
and Gabriel Pérez SoundTrip Orchestra featuring Chris Potter (ARG/GER/USA).
He is currently part of Cecilie Grundt Quartet, Rodrigo Villagra Quartet, Felix Peikli & friends,
Håkon Endal Trio, Frode Kjekstad / Eric Alexander Quartet and Jan Erik Vold & John Pål Inderberg 'Jazz & Poesi'.
In july 2025 he will record a new album featuring Vigleik Storaas and Kertu Aer,
to be recorded at Rainbow Studios in Oslo and to be
released on Heartbeat Music in autumn 2025.
Beside his activities as a drummer and composer, he´s also teaching drums and is hosting and organizing
the concert series 'Lørdagsjazz på Rådhusteatret i Ski', which has been presenting monthly jazz concerts since spring 2022
with some of Norways foremost jazz musicians such as Knut Riisnæs, John Pål Inderberg, Bjørn Vidar Solli,
Cecilie Grundt, Felix Peikli, and Lage Lund and International guests such as Stella Cole (USA), Tyreek McDole (USA)
& Benny Benack III (USA).
Concert tours have brought him to The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, England, Ireland, Finland,
Iceland, Estonia, Greece, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Frederik Villmow is endorsed by CANOPUS DRUMS, handcrafted high quality drums made in Japan.
contact: [email protected]
photo by: Joakim Haga, Norway
press quotes:
"Although Villmow is an excellent drummer by all standards, his music goes far beyond just drumming skills, presenting a refined ensemble sound and complex flow of ideas. He is definitely in the center of the performances throughout, but his drumming is certainly not just a showoff of his abilities, but the driving force of the ensemble."
(Adam Baruch review on Frederik Villmow - Momentum, ISR/PL, 05/23)
"I would go so far to say that this is one of the best album opening tracks I have
heard this year." (Simplyjazztalk review on Frederik Villmow - Momentum, UK, 04/23)
„Frederik Villmow made an impressive debut that makes you want more. His band, a top-class international ensemble, plays Straight-ahead jazz at its finest.“
(Hans-Bernd Kittlaus review on Frederik Villmow Quartet feat. Tomas Franck -
Live in Copenhagen, Jazzpodium, GER)
"This has to be one of the most wonderful trioalbums in a long time" (Jan Granlie review on Frederik Villmow Trio - Motion, Salt Peanuts, SWE)
reviews and press articles (selection) :
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