Home » Jazz Musicians » Nick Maclean

Nick Maclean

Based in Toronto Nick Maclean is the winner of 6 'Gold' Global Music Awards as well as a Toronto Independent Music Award, and has quickly become one of the most in demand 20-something piano players in that city’s bustling jazz scene. Nick leads two critically acclaimed ensembles, the funkified electric jazz group SNAGGLE and the hard-swinging modern jazz group NICK MACLEAN QUARTET. Both groups have released multi-award winning albums and with them Nick has toured right across Canada as well as internationally, performing for countless audiences as well as running jazz improvisation workshops for students and listeners eager to learn more about the artform. From Miles Davis & Herbie Hancock to Weather Report & Snarky Puppy, Maclean’s musical influences are diverse.

Maclean leads the hard-swinging NYC-style jazz ensemble the NICK MACLEAN QUARTET. Formed in 2016, Maclean’s foursome delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock’s primordial 1960’s Blue Note era recordings, while paying tribute to some of the greatest improvisers in jazz history. The group released their debut album RITES OF ASCENSION in November 2017 which was featured as one of the Global Music Award's 'Top 5 Albums of Spring 2018', was nominated for CJSF's 'Julian Award of Excellence' and won a 'Gold' Global Music Award in the 'Jazz' category. The group recently returned from extensive touring across Canada and the United Kingdom.

Maclean also leads the multi award-winning, groove-based, electric jazz project SNAGGLE, a group with a fearlessly muscular yet introspective sound likened to a cross between 'electric-era Miles Davis' and 'Rage Against The Machine'. SNAGGLE's uniquely brash and infectious brand of jazz-funk is a melodically driven sound which incorporates primal groove qualities more commonly associated with pop and rock, swinging their live show from quietly contemplative all the way to explosively fierce - sometimes all within the same tune. Their latest release THE LONG SLOG was awarded a 'Gold' Global Music Award, a Toronto Independent Music Award and a nomination in the international Independent Music Awards for 'Best jazz/funk/fusion Album of the Year'.

Maclean, who's groups have frequently been lauded for the strength of their collective improvisatory vision, also leads a SOLO PIANO project which continues in that unconstrained spirit of spontaneous and courageous personal exploration in order to perform rich and prismatic interpretations of originals, standards, and other contemplations, all delivered in the moment. Started in 2019 Maclean's solo piano work delves into a reflective and soul-searching realm of expression, taking influences from jazz piano legends like Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau, as well as that of his two divergent ensembles. His debut - double disc - release "CAN YOU HEAR ME?" was released on October 31st, 2021 on Browntasauras Records and features his most personal and intimate recordings to date.

Read more

Tags

19
Album Review

Nick Maclean Quartet feat. Brownman Ali: Convergence

Read "Convergence" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


The Nick Maclean Quartet is a highly respected Canadian outfit, here featuring upper-echelon trumpeter Brownman Ali, marked by a deep reverence for the past and a bold leap into the future. Central to this album's appeal are its original compositions, which are not merely exercises in style but profound statements of artistic identity. These pieces are deeply influenced by the innovative spirit of Herbie Hancock's work in the 1960s, among other Blue Note Records artists during this fertile period for ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

New Music From Nick Maclean, Leo Postolovsky, Bruno Råberg, Amaury Faye, And More

Read "New Music From  Nick Maclean, Leo Postolovsky, Bruno Råberg, Amaury Faye, And More" reviewed by Bob Osborne


On this show a wide variety of new releases from Nick Maclean Quartet feat. Brownman Ali, Leo Postolovsky, Bruno Råberg, Amaury Faye Ensemble, Brandon Seabrook, Bram Stadhouders and B.O.X., Damon Smith with Jason Stein and Adam Shead, Tomas Janzon, Michael Davis Hip-Bone Big Band, Yamabiko Quintet, Devin Gray, and Artie Roth. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Nick McLean Quartet feat. Brownman Ali “The Wisdom Of Aurelius" from Convergence (Browntasaurus) 01:12 Leo Postolovsky “Algo Anda" from Pequeños Infinitos (ears&eyes) 09:15 ...

7
Album Review

Nick Maclean: Can You Hear Me?

Read "Can You Hear Me?" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Pianist Nick Maclean plays in his comfort zones with his ensemble work in the funkified electric jazz group Snaggle, and in his New York City-style, Herbie Hancock-influenced modern jazz group, the Nick Maclean Quartet. But the solo format—at least in the recording studio—is new territory to him. Undaunted by the prospect, he offers up a double CD of solo piano music, Can You Hear Me?. His influences are worn on his sleeve, starting with Herbie Hancock's “Dolphin Dance," ...

Read more articles
“Nick Maclean has superior piano skills, coupled with great ideas and emotional execution.” - Randy Brecker, jazz trumpet legend (New York, USA)

“Maclean's creative mind and aesthetics are obvious... his piano solos both lyrical and invigorating...” - Ivana Popovic, The Wholenote (Toronto, Canada)

“Many describe Nick Maclean as a “rising star”, but those of us that heard him this afternoon think otherwise – *that* star has “already” risen!” - Markham Jazz Festival (Markham, Canada)

“This twenty-something Toronto based pianist will be largely unknown to Australian audiences, but with albums like this along with his other project ‘Snaggle’ likened to Snarky Puppy, Maclean’s trajectory can only be upward... Personal expression and fun are the hallmarks of Nick Maclean’s music and both are in abundance here.” - Peter Wockner, Jazz and Beyond (Australia)

Read more

Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Toronto

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Wayne Shorter
saxophone
Miles Davis
trumpet
Brownman
trumpet
Snarky Puppy
band / ensemble / orchestra

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Road Warrior (single)

Browntasauras Records
2023

buy

Dolphin Dance (single)

Browntasauras Records
2023

buy

Verboten (single)

Browntasauras Records
2023

buy

Wisdom of Aurelius...

Browntasauras Records
2023

buy

Convergence

Browntasauras Records
2023

buy

Can You Hear Me?

Browntasauras Records
2021

buy

Dolphin Dance

From: Convergence
By Nick Maclean

Road Warrior

From: Road Warrior (single)
By Nick Maclean

Blackbirds

From: Can You Hear Me?
By Nick Maclean

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.