Nikolaj Hess
Danish piano/ keyboard player, arranger and composer born in 1967, currently based in Denmark.
Leader and co–leader of several groups, counting members such as Chr McBride, Donny McCaslin, Marylin Mazur (former Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter drummer/ percussionist), Marc Mommaas, Jochen Rueckert, Jesper Lundgaard, Mads Vinding, Alex Riel, Lars Danielsson, Hans Ulrik and Chris Minh Doky.
Also worked with Lee Konitz, Benny Golson, Fela Kuti and Femi Kuti, Robert Wilson, Hal Willner, Ulla Henningsen, Jamey Haddad, Dave Liebman, Ed Neumeister, James Genus, Hal Crook, Harwie Swartz, Andrea Marcelli, Michael Blair, Kysia Bostic, Ed Howard, Youron Israels, Etta Cameron, Dennis Charles, John Hebert, Cecilie Norby, Debbie Cameron, Lars Hug, Bob Rockwell, Severy Pyssalo, Lotte Anker, Copenhagen Art Ensemble a.m.o..
Did numerous recordings as a leader, co-leader and sideman. Among the latest, Nikolaj Hess Trio “Playin” (Music Mecca), Global Motion Trio “Mommaas” (Calibre).
Wrote music for film (Zentropa) and radio (DR, Hungarian Radio, etc) and worked as a studiomusician on various projects. Wrote and arranged for various settings, solopiano, small groups, large string ensemble, bigband, etc.
Toured extensively in France, the UK, Africa, Holland, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Island, Denmark, and United States.
Spent 6 months in Africa, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria and SA, studying and playing african music. Spends some of his time in NY, where he among many other places has performed at Sweet Basil, Knitting Factory, Manhattan School of Music, Cornelia Street Cafe.
Won gold prize in “Berlingske Tidendes” competition of non-classical music in Copenhagen (1987); was a finalist in the European Young Artist competition in Germany (1988); was chosen as the best european jazz pianist under 5 for the final in a broadcast competition in Rome(1990).
Associate professor at the Royal Danish Rhytmic Conservatory in Copenhagen.
Press Quotes
Improvisational art at the higest level — It is totally clear that Nikolaj Hess has a deep sense of every note he plays
With his totally masterful sense of rhythm he tracks the point where the music swings the most with the least effort. He also has the ability to let the music meet him and seize the possibilities that arise through that interaction
This music breathes remarkably free thanks to Nikolaj Hess exclusive harmonic sense
The quartet’s version of the music by Carl Nielsen is simply Danish music at its best