Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Kurt Rasmussen has for many years, been in great demand with musicians and producers from many different genres. His numerous CD projects include The Young Dubliners, Bill Cunliffe featuring Peter Erskine, The Tom Kubis Big Band, John Klemmer and "Amigos," a compilation of duets by Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Juan Gabriel, Jose Jose, Celine Dion, Tom Jones, Patty Labelle, and Barry Gibb.

Experienced in percussion techniques from around the world, Rasmussen has been a part of the Latin and Brazilian scene in Los Angeles, performing with Los Angeles based Latin artists like Poncho Sanchez, Fred Ramirez, Montuno, Bien Suave, Susie Hansen and Bobby Redfield. On the Brazilian side, he has performed with L.A. Samba, Embra Samba, Feijoada Completa, Katia Moraes, Moacir Santos and Kleber Jorge.

After a lifetime of touring and performing with Sergio Mendes, Paul Anka, Quincy Jones, Kenny G., David Foster, Donovan, Bill Medley, Tania Maria, Diane Schuur, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross and Marilyn McCoo, among others, he is currently the percussionist for "O" by Cirque du Soleil. The original score demands the entire range of his experience with Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Middle Eastern, and "legit" percussion techniques.

He continues to add to his long list of recording credits like the the award-winning IMAX film "Everest" with ex-Beatle George Harrison. Among his newest projects are recording for Disneyland's theme park "California Adventure", Universal Studio Tours and most recently, The World of WarCraft, "Wrath of the Lich King".

Rasmussen started teaching percussion and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2004. He heads up the world percussion department and is director of the UNLV Brazilian Percussion Ensemble "Mocidade Rebelde" (Rebellious Youth). In 2010, Rasmussen won the Outstanding Teaching by Adjunct Faculty Award.