Pianist

The Canadian trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler (1930 - 2014) was one of the quieter but all the more powerful figures in jazz. His move to Great Britain in 1952 was what we would today call a »match«, a happy and momentous encounter. A lyrical melancholic (»sad music makes me happy«) met the hard-hitting sound and broad rhythm of northern English brass bands and, with an irrepressible desire for freedom, mixed some of the most important and influential large ensemble recordings of the last 60 years.

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NDR Bigband / Norma Winstone / Dave Holland / Nikki Iles

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Marking the recent announcement of Academy Jazz Professor Nikki Iles as Principal Conductor of the NDR Bigband, this concert celebrates the long line of collaborations between the NDR and some of the UK’s most celebrated jazz composers – from Mike Gibbs and Kenny Wheeler to Julian Siegel and Trish Clowes.

Celebrating the NDR Big Band

PizzaExpress

Nikki Iles was the surprise winner of the NDR Big Band composition competition in 2020. The British pianist and composer was immediately invited for a week of recording and was named composer-in-residence in 2023. The resulting CD »Face to Face« delighted audiences and critics alike and was nominated for the 2024 German Jazz Award. What else might come next? Well, for example, the call to become the ensemble’s chief conductor in 2025 and to write a new commissioned work.

DR BigBand / Nikki Iles

NDR BigBand / Nikki Iles

The British saxophonist with his incredible sound can finally be experienced as a composer with the NDR Big Band. Nikki Iles will conduct the concert on January 17, 2025 in Studio Eins.

NDR Big Band feat. Nigel Hitchcock & Nikki Iles

NDR - Norddeutscher Rundfunk

Over the course of a glittering career, Childs has worked with, amongst many others, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Wynton Marsalis, LA Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, Renee Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma, Wayne Shorter, Alison Kraus, Dianne Reeves, Chris Botti, Esperanza Spalding, Lisa Fischer, Susan Tedeschi, Rickie Lee Jones, Shawn Colvin, Ledesi, Becca Stevens, Chris Potter, Brian Blade, Steve Wilson and Jerry Douglas.

Pianist

Nikki Iles

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 12, 2027

Nikki Iles and Jeff Ballard in Conversation · Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Feb 12, 2027

Nikki Iles with RBC Jazz Orchestra · Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Past events

Jun 21, 2026

NDR Bigband / Norma Winstone / Dave Holland / Nikki Iles · Elbphilharmonie

Nov 23, 2025

Celebrating the NDR Big Band · Royal Academy of Music

About

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