After
high school Gasper decided to pursue a professional career
in music. He moved to Linz, Austria and studied music
and drums at the Bruckner Konservatorium. There Gasper
had the opportunity to study with world-renowned musicians
such as Doug Hammond, Allan Praskin, Jeff Beaudreaux,
Harry Sokal, and Peter Tuscher. In June 2002 Gasper received
a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance with honors.
In
the fall of 2002 Gasper moved to New York City and began
to study at The City College of The City University of
New York with scholarships from the Slovenian government–Ministry
of Culture and Ministry for School and Sports. There he
studied with professors such as John Patitucci, Victor
Lewis, Billy Drummond, Andy Watson, Scott Reves, and Fred
Hersch. On June 3, 2005, Gasper received his Master of
Arts degree from City College.
While
in New York City Gasper performed with a variety of musicians
and bands including Reggie Workman, Sheila Jordan, Lew
Tabackin, Boris Kozlov, Vincent Herring, Jeremy Pelt,
Grant Stewart, Jonathan Kreisberg, William Ash, Miles
Griffith, Marco Panascia, Alex Harding, Walt Szymanski,
Yosvany Terry, Tom Rhodes, Jimmy “Preacher”
Robins, John Oszajca, Rick Royale, Doug Siegel, Liz Clark,
Yoke, Inventing Eve, Peter Silver’s Big Band, 7
& Counting, Whisky Rebellion, and The New York Connection
Band.
Gasper
has also played throughout Europe with jazz artists, including
Peter Mihelich, Renato Chicco, Bosko Petrovic, Robert
Anchipolovsky, Kristjan Randalu, Tony Pancella, Jure Pukl,
Igor Lumpert, Igor Bezget, Greentown Jazz Band, Stjepko
Gut, Alan Praskin, Lenart Krecic, Blaz Trcek, Nikola Matosic,
Robert Jukic, Tal Ronen.
