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Nikki Iles
British jazz composer, pianist and educator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Nikki Anne Iles BEM (née Burnham; born 16 May 1963) is a British jazz composer, pianist and educator.
Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson
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Early life
Iles was born in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, on 16 May 1963.[1] She started her musical education at primary school, where she learnt to play the harmonica and the clarinet, and at eleven years old she won a junior exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied clarinet and piano[1] from 1974 to 1981.[2] She became a member of the Bedfordshire Youth Jazz Orchestra.[1] She went on to the Leeds College of Music (1981–1984).[1]
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Later life and career
After graduating from the Leeds College of Music, she decided to settle in Yorkshire.[2] After marrying trumpeter Richard Iles, she changed her surname from Burnham.[2] She joined his band Emanon, with which she played some of her compositions.[1] Iles also began playing with several London-based bands, such as those led by Steve Argüelles, Mick Hutton and Stan Sulzmann.[1]
Iles won the 1996 John Dankworth Special Award at the BT Jazz Festival.[1] Following a serious car crash after a gig, Iles opted to settle in London.[1]
Iles was a senior lecturer at Middlesex University, and has taught at the University of York, Leeds College of Music, the Guildhall School of Music, and in Bulgaria, Holland, France, and Finland.[1]
Iles was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to music.[3]
In 2025 Iles was announced as the new principal conductor of Hamburg's NDR Bigband.[4]
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Discography
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As leader/co-leader
As sidewoman
With Anthony Braxton
With Mike Gibbs
- By the Way (Ah Um, 1993)[11]
With Ingrid Laubrock
- Some Times (Candid, 1998)[6]
With Tina May
- One Fine Day (33Jazz, 1999)[6]
- I'll Take Romance (Linn, 2002)[6]
- More Than You Know (33Jazz, 2004)[6]
- A Wing and a Prayer (33Jazz, 2005–06)[6]
With Sylvan Richardson
- Pyrotechnics (Blue Note, 1992)
With Geoff Simkins
- Don't Ask (Symbol, 1999)
With Martin Speake
- Secret (Basho, 2000)[6]
With Stan Sulzmann
- Treasure Trove (ASC, 1995)[6]
With Dick Walter/Jazz Craft Ensemble
- Secret Moves (ASC, 1999)
References
External links
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