Jazz Articles about Nikki Iles

Jim Rattigan: When

by Chris May
December 24, 2020

Composer-arrangers as diverse as Gil Evans and Charles Mingus have employed the French horn, but it remains something of a niche instrument in jazz. Why? The same question applies to the almost complete absence of trombones in West African jazz and Afrobeat, and their ubiquity in Brazilian samba. The first convincing explanation in the Comments box below will win a night out with Sidney Powell or Rudy Giuliani. The second such explanation will win two nights. Anyway, Britain's Jim Rattigan ...

Georgia Mancio: Live At ReVoice!

by Bruce Lindsay
November 29, 2015

The name at the top of the cover of Live At ReVoice! is that of Georgia Mancio, the London-based vocalist who appears on every one of the 12 tracks. A quick glance lower down the cover adds a dozen more names--a list of Mancio's accompanists that reads like a veritable “Who's Who" of the UK jazz scene. A baker's dozen of talented performers, twelve beautifully performed songs, captured with exceptional sound quality. Mancio has organised the ReVoice! festival ...

Nikki Iles: Hush

by AAJ Italy Staff
November 15, 2012

Arriva dall'Inghilterra arriva questo disco, sognante e delicato, di un trio di altissimo livello, quello capitanato dalla pianista britannica Nikki Iles e completato da due maestri americani quali Rufus Reid e Jeff Williams, che si fanno sedurre dall'idea di un disco alla Bill Evans in cui alla raffinatezza del tocco sul pianoforte si aggiunge l'interazione sottile della sezione ritmica, il dialogo paritario a tre, le linee solistiche del contrabbasso, i colori che la batteria sparge nel percorso, senza pensare al ...

Nikki Iles: Hush

by Bruce Lindsay
April 2, 2012

The transatlantic band that created Hush--British pianist Nikki Iles, and American bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Jeff Williams--had never played together as a trio before their single rehearsal session on the night prior to recording at Dave Bennett's New Jersey studio in September 2010. That the album sounds like the product of years of collaboration is a testament to the trio's skills, and to these three musicians' mutual understanding, for Hush is a beautiful and affecting record.The overall ...

Nikki Iles: Meditation and Collaboration

by Bruce Lindsay
April 2, 2012

Pianist and composer Nikki Iles describes herself as one of the “not- so-young-anymore generation" of British jazz musicians--a fair comment, in chronological terms, from a musician born in the mid-'60s. But more importantly, she's a musician of experience, expertise and talent, viewed with great respect by players across the world. Iles' self-description does seem to be typical of her modest and slightly self- deprecating approach, though: she's not one for ego trips or grandiose claims. In fact, she is more ...

Nikki Iles Quintet: Veils

by John Kelman
October 22, 2004

The vibrancy of the British jazz scene is something that for the most part continues to elude listeners on the North American side of the Atlantic. While some artists, including trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and pianist John Taylor, are receiving their proper due--Taylor, though, only in recent times--others, including saxophonists Martin Speake , Stan Sulzmann and Iain Ballamy, still await the broader recognition they so duly deserve. Add to that list pianist Nikki Iles, who, along with some fine collaborations with ...

Nikki Iles/Duncan Hopkins/Anthony Michelli: Everything I Love

by Jerry D'Souza
July 14, 2004

The musicians who have influenced pianist Nikki Iles come in varying temperament. They include Bill Evans, John Taylor and John Abercrombie. There can be no gripe with that focus, particularly when the music on this recording is presented in evidence.

This piano trio works well. Iles has toured with Duncan Hopkins and Anthony Michelli--the two have developed a fine working relationship setting up the rhythm for other musicians--and the closeness they have established is manifested right through. This ...