About Nikki Iles
Nikki Iles is a highly acclaimed British jazz pianist, composer, and educator, celebrated for her imaginative playing, evocative compositions, and significant contributions to the UK jazz scene and beyond. As a leading figure in British jazz, her work spans intimate small group performances to ambitious large ensemble compositions, showcasing a distinctive lyrical style that has earned her international recognition.
- Nikki Iles began her formal musical education at the age of eleven, winning a junior exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music where she studied clarinet and piano. She later immersed herself in jazz at the Leeds College of Music.
- A dedicated and influential educator, Iles is a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music and has played a crucial role in developing the innovative jazz syllabus for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), regularly publishing educational materials with Oxford University Press and EVC Music.
- She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Large Ensemble Composition in 2021 for 'The Caged Bird', and was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2022 New Year Honours list for her services to music.
- Iles was a founder member of the innovative Creative Jazz Orchestra in the early 90s, where she collaborated with renowned musicians such as Anthony Braxton, Vince Mendoza, Kenny Wheeler, and Mike Gibbs, establishing herself early on as a formidable force in contemporary jazz.
Performing Nikki Iles's sheet music offers a rewarding experience for pianists, instrumentalists, and ensembles of varying skill levels, from easy to intermediate and advanced. Her "Nikki Iles Jazz Series," published by Oxford University Press and ABRSM, features a wealth of original compositions and artful arrangements of jazz standards, often exploring diverse jazz styles including swing, folk, samba, and contemporary. Players can delve into authentic jazz sounds, explore nuanced harmonies, and develop their improvisational skills through her meticulously crafted pieces, making her music ideal for those looking to expand their jazz repertoire, build recital programs, or simply enjoy playing sophisticated and engaging contemporary jazz.
