About Casimir

Born in Brussels in 1988, Casimir Liberski is a distinguished pianist, improviser, and composer celebrated throughout the European jazz scene. At just 13, he formed his first trio, quickly establishing himself as a prodigious musical voice. Early milestones include winning an Octave de la Musique and composing the original soundtrack for the film Bunker Paradise (2004). At 18, he became the first European recipient of the prestigious Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music.

During his years in New York, Liberski developed close mentorships with Ornette Coleman and Masabumi Kikuchi, two visionary figures who left a profound mark on his artistic direction. He has since collaborated with numerous luminaries, including Charnett Moffett, Tyshawn Sorey, Nasheet Waits, Greg Osby, Larry Grenadier, Logan Richardson, Peter Evans, Thomas Morgan, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Stanley Jordan, Godwin Louis, Justin Faulkner, James Blood Ulmer, and many others. His discography reflects a bold synthesis of jazz, progressive rock, experimental, contemporary classical, and electronic influences.

casimir-liberski-about-inset-03.jpg

In 2014, he composed the score for Tokyo Fiancée and went on to earn third prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival’s Solo Piano Competition in 2016. His 2019 album Cosmic Liberty, featuring star-drummer Matt Garstka, is an odyssey through complex polyrhythms and harmonies, offering a vivid portrait of his ever-evolving musical language. This album earned somewhat of a world-wide cult following. 

In his latest venture, Liberski teams up with legendary Japanese avant-garde drummer Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins) to form the Liberski/Yoshida Duo. Their debut albums Troubled Water and Mizu, Tagiru, released in 2023 and 2024 on Totalism, capture the raw energy of free improvisation and genre-defying experimentation — from math punk to electro-acoustic soundscapes — forging a unique dialogue across generations and traditions.

Now based in Brussels, Casimir continues to perform regularly with his ReTRio, which reimagines iconic video game themes through the lens of modern jazz. Their double LP The Z Suites is released on the Swiss label WRWTFWW.

He recently composed the original soundtrack for The Art of Nothing (2023), a film directed by his father and starring Belgian icon Benoît Poelvoorde, released on Dalang! Records and Freaksville.

Casimir also collaborates closely with his spouse, saxophonist and producer Shoko Igarashi, on a number of projects — from the synth-pop trio Maniac Maison (with Lucien Fraipont) to a minimalist ambient duo inspired by 1980s Japanese environmental music.

At the heart of Liberski’s artistic path lies his lifelong solo piano project — a space of introspection, improvisation, and sonic exploration. With remarkable technique and a fiercely personal voice, Casimir Liberski continues to invite listeners into an emotional journey that transcends genre and time, weaving together a rich and ever-expanding tapestry of sound.

Career Highlights

  • • 2016 3rd Prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition(BE)

    • 2013 Jazz Marathon Competition: “Best Soloist”(BE)

    • 2012 September Jazz (BE)

    • 2010 The Jazz Station (BE)

    • 2010 Xerox Rochester Jazz Festival (US)

    • 2009 RTBF DJ Experience (BE)

    • 2006 Jazz Marathon (BE)

    • 2006 Eurit’mix Festival (BE)

    2006 Ghent Film Music Festival: Nominated “Best Belgian Composer” for film Bunker Paradise (BE)

    2006 Jazz Marathon 3rd Competition for Young Talents: 1st Prize “Casimir Liberski Trio” and “Prix du public”(BE)

    2005 Jazz Marathon 2nd Competition for Young Talents: 2nd Prize “I’Echevin de la Jeunesse” and “Prix du public”(BE)

    2005 Gaume Jazz Festival (BE)

    2005 Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur (BE)

    2005 Witfloof Jazz at Botanique (BE)

    2004 Jazz Marathon (BE)

    2004 Fête de la Musique (BE)

    2004 Pianofolies Flagey (BE)

    2004 Octaves de la Musique: 1st Prize and Encouragement Prize for outstanding performances of emerging new artists(BE)

    1999 Ganshoren Festival Comic Books Competition: “Coup de Coeur”(BE)

  • • 2020 Voorhuit Ghent Belgium with Maniac Maison

    • 2020 Flagey Winter Jazz Fest

    • 2020 Brussels Belgium with Casimir Liberski Trio

    • 2020 BEL JAZZ at Flagey with Casimir Liberski Trio

    • 2019 Jazz Station (Casimir Liberski Trio)

    • 2019 Grand Place (BJW) Casimir Liberski Trio

    • Bowery Electric *Jana Hertzen, Jonathan Barber, Kevin Jones, Charnett Moffett (US)

    • 2016 Club Bonafide *Casimir Liberski Trio (US)

    • 2015 Club Bonafide * Charnette Moffett, Victor Lewis and Stanley Jordan (US)

    • 2015 Jazz a Liege Festival * JF Foliez Quartet “Playground” (BE)

    • 2015 Les Musicales de Beloeil solo piano (BE)

    • 2015 Iridium * “Nettwork”(US)

    • 2015 Mallorca Jazz sa Pobla * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Penisola Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Jamboree Jazz Club * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Ribadeo Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 San Javier Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 XXI International Open Air Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Festival Universijazz * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Valencia XIX Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Ezkaray Jazz Festival *“Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Canary Islands Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 Atarfe Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” (SP)

    • 2015 International Istanbul Jazz Festival * Charnette Moffett, Jeff Tain Watts and James Blood Ulmer (Turkey)

    • 2015 Getxo Jazz Festival * “Nettwork” Charnette Moffett, Jeff Tain Watts and Stanley Jordan (SP)

    • 2014 Maanrock * Delv!s (BE)

    • 2014 Les Ardennes * Delv!s (BE)

    • 2014 Gent Jazz Festival * Delv!s (BE)

    • 2013 Intime Festival (BE)

    • 2013 Bruxelles Jazz Marathan (BE)

  • • 2020 Brussels 2020 – Casimir Liberski Trio (Bandcamp Release)

    • 2019 Cosmic Liberty – Casimir Liberski (Ropeadope Recordings)

    • 2018 L.A. 30 (self-release)

    • 2017 Law Of Gravity (self-release)

    • 2013 Tokyo Fiancée OST (Dalang!Records)

    • 2012 Atomic Rabbit (Dalang!Records)

    • 2012 The Caveless Wolf (Dalang!Records)

    • 2008 Evanescences (Dalang!Records)

    • 2006 Bunker Paradise OST (PIAS BE)

    • 2006 Bunker Paradise OST (PIAS BE)

    • 2004 Mr.Senbei (Unreleased)

  • • 2017 Middle of Somewhere by Middle of Somewhere

    • 2015 Lagune by JF Foliez’ Playground (Igloo Records)

    • 2015 Star Plants and Bugs (by Louis de Mieulle)

    • 2014 Ukiyo by Kaoru Tanaka<br

    • 2012 Defense Mechanism (by Louis de Mieulle)

    • 2010 Treasure by Charnett Moffett (Motéma Music)

    • 2009 Dedications by Various Artists (Jazz Revelation Records)

  • • 2014 “Tokyo Fiancée” by Stefan Liberski Versus production

    • 2010 “Vous Plaisantez Monsieur Tanner” by Stefan Liberski for Canal +

    • 2006 “Les Oeufs Brouilles” by Iao Lethem

    • 2005 “Bunker Paradise” by  Stefan Liberski – Artemis Production

    • 2004 “L’Herbe sous le pied” by Stefan Liberski and Bouli Lanners for BeTV (Belgium)

Resume

A Life in Music