Caspar van Wijk studied at the conservatories of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, with Simon Rigter, Ferdinand Povel and Jasper Blom. During that time he also studied abroad (Philadelphia, New York) with Dick Oatts and John Swana, among others. He graduated in 2011, summa cum laude, from the Conservatory of Amsterdam.
Caspar lives in The Hague, where he performs with the Van Wijk/Derudder Quartet, together with pianist Alex Koo Derudder. He is also a popular sideman in a variety of formations. Caspar is a member of the Dutch Concert Big Band and performs regularly with other orchestras, including the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw. He has appeared on international stages in Tokyo, Macao, Jakarta, São Paulo, Philadelphia, London, Ghent, Berlin, Budapest, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In addition to his work as a performer, Caspar is a much sought-after teacher. He was invited as a guest teacher in Rovigo (2011), Porto Alegre (2012) and Moscow (2013).
- 2014: First Prize, Dordtse SENA Jazz Award (Alex Koo Quintet)
2011: "Best Composition Award", European Keep An Eye Jazz Competition
2008: First Prize, Princess Christina Competition
Portrait photo by Leonid Selemenev (Igor Butman Jazz Club, Moscow 2017)
Other photos by Pavel Korbut (Ecce Jazz Club, Moscow 2017)