Nikki Anne Iles BEM (née Burnham; born 16 May 1963) is a British jazz composer, pianist and educator.
Nikki Iles BEM | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nikki Anne Burnham |
| Born | 16 May 1963 Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, educator |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | Mid-1980s–present |
| Labels | 33Jazz, Basho |
| Website | www |
Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson
Early life
editIles 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]
Later life and career
editAfter 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]
Discography
editAs leader/co-leader
edit| Year recorded | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997? | The Tan Tien | FMR | with Martin Speake |
| 1997? | Change of Sky | 33Jazz | Duo, co-led with Tina May (vocals)[4] |
| 1998? | Snap | RFM | As Foolish Hearts (Iles, Steve Berry, Paul Clarvis, and Anthony Kerr) |
| 2002 | Veils | Symbol | Quintet, with Stan Sulzmann (soprano sax, tenor sax), Mike Outram (guitar), Mike Hutton (bass), Anthony Michelli (drums)[5] |
| 2002 | Everything I Love | Basho | Trio, with Duncan Hopkins (bass), Anthony Michelli (drums)[5] |
| 2012 | Hush | Basho | Trio, with Rufus Reid (bass), Jeff Williams (drums)[6] |
| 2015? | Westerly | Basho | As The Printmakers; with Mike Walker (electric guitar), Mark Lockheart (saxes), Steve Watts (bass), James Maddren (drums), Norma Winstone (vocals)[7][8] |
As sidewoman
editWith Anthony Braxton
With Mike Gibbs
- By the Way (Ah Um, 1993)[10]
With Ingrid Laubrock
- Some Times (Candid, 1998)[5]
With Tina May
- One Fine Day (33Jazz, 1999)[5]
- I'll Take Romance (Linn, 2002)[5]
- More Than You Know (33Jazz, 2004)[5]
- A Wing and a Prayer (33Jazz, 2005–06)[5]
With Sylvan Richardson
- Pyrotechnics (Blue Note, 1992)
With Geoff Simkins
- Don't Ask (Symbol, 1999)
With Martin Speake
- Secret (Basho, 2000)[5]
With Stan Sulzmann
- Treasure Trove (ASC, 1995)[5]
With Dick Walter/Jazz Craft Ensemble
- Secret Moves (ASC, 1999)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nikki Iles". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ^ a b c Chilton, John (2004). Who's Who of British Jazz (2nd ed.). Continuum. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-8264-7234-2.
- ^ "No. 63571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 2022. p. N32.
- ^ Nathan, Dave. "Nikki Iles / Tina May: Change of Sky". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. pp. 746, 869, 963, 1329, 1354. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
- ^ Lindsay, Bruce (2 April 2012). "Nikki Iles: Hush". All About Jazz.
- ^ Fordham, John (7 May 2015). "The Printmakers: Westerly Review – American Cool to Rural England". The Guardian.
- ^ "Westerly: The Printmakers". bashorecords.com. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- ^ Eyles, John (18 March 2006). "Anthony Braxton with the Creative Jazz Orchestra: Composition No. 175 & Composition No. 126: Trillium-Dialogues M". All About Jazz.
- ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (1996). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD (3rd ed.). Penguin. p. 497. ISBN 978-0-14-051368-4.