Kristijan Krajnčan
DRUMMER, CELLIST, COMPOSER & FILMMAKER
Continuously pushing the boundaries and fusing different art forms, Kristijan Krajnčan established himself as one of the most prolific and distinctive European artists of his generation. Virtuoso both on drums and violoncello, composer and filmmaker, he has long moved away from fitting into a single labeled drawer. On a constant exploration of new paradigms, his ambition is to weave ancient storytelling with modern creative techniques. The unique voice has earned him an international recognition with numerous awards in all fields of his work.
Krajnčan has always been interested in connecting opposing ideas, because for him “in its inner core, there is no difference between Bach and African music”. That becomes apparent in his solo project “DrummingCellist” where he performs drums and cello; classical and improvised music fused with his Slovenian folk heritage.
As of 2023 he released four albums with this project: self-titled DrummingCellist (2017), where he arranged Bach’s second cello suite and Arvo Part’s Fratres for classical cello and solo drums; Abraxas (2019), consisting of original music inspired by worldly mythologies and the work of C. G. Jung; Floating Sand (2021), a collaboration with Big Band RTV Slovenia, conducted by his father Lojze Krajnčan; and the upcoming Zabučale Gore / The Mountains Roared (2022), where Slovenian folk music is re-imagined through the modern classical and improvisational concepts.
Born in Slovenia (Kranj, 1986) in a family of musicians, Kristijan started playing cello at the age of five and drums at the age of ten. Around that time he started making his first films with a VHS camera, a gift from his grandfather. After finishing Music High School on both instruments, he moved to The Netherlands, where he graduated jazz drums at the Prince Claus Conservatory (Groningen, 2009) and obtained his Masters degree in Composing for Film at the Amsterdam Conservatory (2013).
His ability to play various music styles in groups that range from trio to big band gave him the opportunity to work with several internationally acclaimed artists, such as Aynur Dogan, Ambrose Akinmusire, Jimmy Greene, Alex Simu Quintet, Franz von Chossy Trio, The Ploctones, Dimitar Bodurov, Kaja Draksler “Acropolis Quintet”, DUMItRIO, Tarek Yamani Trio, Big Band RTV Slovenia.
As a sideman he is featured on 52 albums and has performed in 25 countries across Europe, USA, Asia, Indonesia, Middle-East and Africa. As a composer he scored ten shorts and three feature films, while being constantly involved with numerous theatre and dance projects.
He has directed several short films and music videos. His latest short film Potop/The Flood was shown at many international film festivals, including the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand ISFF (2020), and earned him the “Best Screenplay Award” at Arab FF, Rotterdam.
At the moment he is developing the script for his debut feature film.
Selected Performances
Carnegie Hall (New York, USA), Bimhuis (The Netherlands), Salihara Theater (Indonesia), Flagey Winter Jazz Festival (Belgium), Palace of Culture Minsk (Belarus), DRM: Democratic Republic od Music (Lebanon), Concertgebouw De Vereeniging Nijmegen (The Netherlands), VPRO ToneJazz Festival (The Netherlands), JazzCastle Festival Wolfsburg (Germany), ArCub Live Open Air Festival (Romania), “Jazz Is Back! – B.P.” (Croatia), Oct-Loft Jazz Festival (China), Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Vossa Jazz Festival (Norway), Jazzkaar Festival (Estonia), Ljubljana Jazz Festival (Slovenia), Druga Godba (Slovenia), Grahamstown Standard Bank Jazz Festival (South Africa), Tokyo Jazz Festival (Japan), Bohemian Jazz Festival (Czech), 12 Points! Festival (Ireland), Skopje Jazz Festival (Macedonia), Borusan Music House (Turkey), Jazz Festival Cerkno (Slovenia), Festival Lent (Slovenia), Amersfoort Jazz Festival (The Netherlands)
Discography
2022
- DrummingCellist : Zabučale Gore / The Mountains Roared (to be released) – cellist, drummer, composer, producer
2021
- DrummingCellist & Big Band RTV Slovenia : Floating Sand (ZKP RTV Slovenia) – drummer, cellist, composer, producer
2019
- DrummingCellist : Abraxas (self-released) – drummer, cellist, composer, producer
2017
- DrummingCellist (self-released) – drummer, cellist, composer, producer
2012
- Kristijan Krajnčan Ensemble : Siberian Bear (Edit Records) – drummer, composer, producer
2010
- KK Contemporary Jazz Ensemble : Siberian Bear (Hrosch Records) – drummer, composer, producer
2024
- Marko Churnthez Trio feat. Josh Ginsberg and Kristijan Krajnčan: Without Words – The Music of Mojimir Sepe (ZKP RTV Slovenia) – drummer
2023
- Alex Sipiagin & Big Band RTV Slovenia: New York Suite (ZKP RTV Slovenia) – drummer
- Robert Jukič: Res Publica (Jazz Cerkno Records) – drummer
2022
- Rober Jukič: Izza (ZKP RTV Slovenia) – drummer
2021
- Marko Churnthez & Big Band RTV Slovenia: Roads (ZKP RTV Slovenia) – drummer
- Marijan Dovič: Ta Citira (APZ) – cellist
- Rober Jukič: Caminos de Gloria (ZKP RTV Slovenia) – drummer
2020
- Samo Šalamon, Igor Matković & Kristijan Krajnčan: Common Flow (Samo Records) – drummer
- Samo Šalamon, Igor Matković & Kristijan Krajnčan: Rare Ebb (Samo Records) – cellist
- Mattia Magatelli Quartet: To the Universe (Mattia Magatelli) – drummer
- Janez Dovč & Sounds of Slovenia: Sozvočja (Celinka) – drummer
2019
- Franz von Chossy Trio: Life Theater (O-Tone Music) – drummer, cellist
- Alex Simu Quintet: Echoes of Bucharest (Alex Simu)
– drummer, cellist - Janez Dovč: Pohujšanje v dolini šentflorjanski (feat. Goran Krmac & Kristijan Krajnčan) (Celinka) – drummer, cellist
2018
- Janez Dovč: The Belly of The Whale (original music soundtrack) (Celinka) – drummer, cellist
2017
- Dimitar Bodurov / Mattia Magatelli / Kristijan Krajnčan: Wasteland (Optomusic) – drummer, composer
- DUMItRIO: Proverbe (TriTone) – drummer, cellist
2016
- Federica Colangelo: Chiaroscuro (Alfamusic) – drummer
- Jadranka Juras: Paris Honey (Nika Records) – drummer
2015
- Boris Mogilevsky: The Way Rivers Flow (Boris Mogilevsky) – drummer
- Sri Hanuraga: To The Universe (Demajors) – drummer
- Nico Finke’s Bad Surprise: Bad Surprise (Art of Groove, MIG) – drummer
2014
- Tibor Kerekeš: Srečanje (Meeting) (Slovenska Filharmonija) – drummer
- DUMItRIO: Future Nostalgia (Future Nostalgia) – drummer, composer
- Sanem Kalfa: Nehir (ZenneZ Records) – drummer
2013
- Sri Hanuraga (Stankoffamusic) – drummer
- Marzio Scholten IDENTIKIT: Garage Moi (Marzio Scholten) – drummer
- Robert Jukič: Life (Unit Records) – drummer, cellist
2012
- Tarek Yamani Trio: Ashur (Edit Records) – drummer
- LOE: ‘A Taliata (Cantina Records) – drummer
- Jiyeun Lee: Bright Green Almost Blue (Universal Music Korea) – drummer
2011
- Romana Krajnčan: Manjka mi manjka (Nika Records) – drummer
- Lojze Krajnčan: Liberamente (ZKP RTV SLO) – drummer
- Robert Jukič: Dobrote iz skrinje zarote (Celinka) – cellist
2010
- Anne Guus Teerhuis Trio: Tarhouse Tales (YPF Artists) – drummer
2009
- Kaja Draksler Acropolis Quartet feat. Sanem Kalfa: Turku (DruGod) – drummer
- Feri Lainšček in Romana Krajnčan: Pesmi o Mišku in Belamiški (Založba Mladinska Knjiga) – drummer
- Robert Jukič: Radio (Sanje) – cellist
2008
- Kaja Draklser: Akropola (GOGA Musica) – drummer
- Romana Krajnčan: Vonj po ljubezni (ZKP RTV SLO) – drummer
- Janez Dovč & Slovenian Philharmonics: Filharmonika (The Slovenian Philharmonics) – drummer
2007
- Katarchestra (Celinka) – cellist
- Tone Janša Quintet: To Play the Part (Tone Janša) – drummer
2005
- Ethnodelia: 100% Naravno (Menart Records) – cellist
2004
- Boško Petrovič Trio & Friends: Bp Club Blues (Croatia Records) – percussionist
- Romana Krajnčan: Nekaj je v zraku (ZKP RTV SLO) – cellist, percussionist
2003
- Romana Krajnčan: Rojstndan (Romana Krajnčan)– cellist, percussionist
2002
- Romana Krajnčan: Kdo nima hlač? (Romana Krajnčan) – cellist
2001
- Romana Krajnčan: Strašnofletne (Panika Records) – cellist
1999
- Romana Krajnčan: Tuba Luba (Panika Records)
– celli
FILMOGRAPHY
2019
- The Flood (short fiction) – Director / Screenwriter Producer: EnaBanda
2015
- And Suddenly It’s Evening (short fiction) – Director: Kristijan Krajnčan / Producer: Kristijan Krajnčan, Hrosch Productions
- Two Pianos (classical music video) – Directed and written by Kristijan Krajnčan Producer: Mitja Petrovič, PianoRoom
2013
- Future Nostalgia (music promo / documentary) – Directed and written by Kristijan Krajnčan Producer: George Dumitriu
2006
- Menuet for Umbrella (short fiction) -Director / Screenwriter / Producer: Kristijan Krajnčan
2005
- Augenblick (short fiction) – Director / Screenwriter / Producer: Kristijan Krajnčan
2022
- Venera (short dance film) Directed by Mala Kline – composer, cellist
2019
- The Flood (short fiction) Directed by Kristijan Krajnčan – composer
2015
- De Fractie (TV Series) Directed by Thomas Korthals Altes and Remy van Heugten – composer
- Patagonia (short fiction) Directed by Flynn von Kleist – composer, music supervisor
2014
- De Behandeling / The Treatment (feature thriller) Directed by Hans Herbots – composer: additional music
- Leeg / Empty (short fiction) Directed by Flynn von Kleist – composer
- Het Spel van de Wolf (feature drama) Directed by Thomas Korthals Altes – composer
2013
- IK / I (short documentary) Directed by Jona Honer – composer
- Vloeibaar Staal / Days Of Steel (short fiction) Directed by Flynn von Kleist – composer
- Een Scout Weet de Weg / Scouts At The Crossroads (short documentary) Directed by Sjoerd Niekamp – composer
DANCE / THEATRE / INTERDISCIPLINARY
2022
- Honey Sparks in the Dark / Med se iskrí v temí (music-dance performance) – drummer, composer, director, concept
2015
- Hidden Myth (interdisciplinary performance) – drummer, cellist, composer, director, concept
2022
- Mala Kline: Venera (dance performance) – composer, cellist
2021
- Alice in Wonderland (outdoor theatre for kids) – composer, cellist
2019
- Ljubi me nežno (ambiental dance concert) – composer, cellist
- Alien Express: 2nd Flight (dance performance) – composer, cellist, drummer
2018
- Lučka Regrat (puppet theatre for kids) – composer
- iCankar (theatre for kids) – composer, cellist, drummer
2017
- Chorus (dance performance) – composer, cellist, drummer
OTHER INFORMATIONS
2020
- Special award at “Seifert Competition for Jazz Strings” for artistic merits and highly original style of playing (Poland)
2012
- Semi-finalist of Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition for Drums (Washington DC)
- Finalist of Keep an Eye Jazz Award as a member of Dominic J. Marshall Trio (Netherlands)
2010
- Participant in “Dave Douglas Workshop: Creative Composition and Improvisation” at Carnegie Hall (New York)
2008
- Finalist of the Dutch Jazz Competition as a member of AnneGuus Teerhuis Trio (Netherlands)
2007
- Nominated for Harten Aas Trophee as a conservatory student (Netherlands)
2006
- Best Director Award at Festival of Slovenian Independent Film (Ljubljana), for the film Augenblick
2005
- 1st Prize jury award “Jazzon” for best Slovenian jazz composition
- Best short film award, Videomanija (Ljubljana), for the film Augenblick
2003
- 1st Prize of National competition for young musicians of Slovenia, classical cello (Ljubljana)
2001
- 3rd Prize in Zagreb, classical cello (Croatia)
2000
- Chairman of Slovenia, invited to Bergen for a Meeting of RTV Centers (Norway)
1998
- 2nd Prize in Tortone (Italy)
1997
- 1st Prize of National competition for young musicians of Slovenia, classical cello (Ljubljana)
- 1st Prize in Goriza, classical cello (Italy)
- 1st Prize in Stressa, classical cello (Italy)
2021
- Comissioned by “Jakarta Arts Council” to write and perform a set of new pieces for “Indonesia Composers Week 2021”
2019
- Commissioned to write a set of classical pieces for percussion ensemble SToP (Ljubljana)
2016
- Commissioned to write a classical piece for Carpe Artem concert cycle (Maribor)
2014
- Commissioned to write a classical piece for a cello quintet FIVE (Amsterdam)
2013
- Conservatorium van Amsterdam – Master of Music, Composing for Film
2009
- Hanzehoogeschool Groningen – Bachelor of Music, Jazz Drums
2005
- Glasbena šola Vič-Rudnik – High school diploma in classcial cello
- Srednja glasbena in baletna šola Ljubljana – High school diploma in jazz drums