Carsten Dahl (born 3 October 1967) is a Danish pianist.

Early life

Dahl was born in Copenhagen on 3 October 1967. His first instrument was the drums, which he began playing at the age of nine. He taught himself both drums and piano, then studied both at Det Rytmiske Musikkonservatorium in Copenhagen. Dahl said that, "As a pianist, I am greatly influenced by Jørgen Nielsen and later, Butch Lacy who had a significant impact on my musical identity both as a mentor, icon and spiritual teacher."

Later life and career

Dahl turned professional in 1982. He was part of tenor saxophonist Thomas Agergaard's quartet from 1991 and drummer Ed Thigpen’s Rhythm Features band from 1998. Dahl also led the rhythmic department of the West Jutland Academy of Music, Esbjerg, from 1992 to 1996 and taught at Det Rytmiske Musikkonservatorium for the following two years, and again for five years from 2011. He taught piano at the Danish Rhythmic Conservatory between 2012 and 2015, but said that he resigned because his "spiritual and highly religious approach to understanding what art really is caused certain conflicts with the general idea of the schools programmes". By 2022, Dahl had played on approximately 300 albums. He is also a painter. He said in 2020: "My pictures vary from the almost golden age of painting yet set in a modern context to specifically complex abstractions."

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman