Nikki Iles Septet, Nikki Iles

Nikki Iles, one of the UK’s finest composers and pianists, leads this all star septet featuring some of the brightest new talents of the UK jazz scene alongside well-established figures, playing arrangements especially commissioned for this premiere performance.

Featuring Alice Legget (Alto sax), Trish Clowes (Tenor/Soprano Sax), Karen Sharp (Baritone sax), Alexandra Ridout (Trumpet)

Nikki Iles, jazz pianist and composer, was a founder member of the innovative Creative Jazz Orchestra – working with Anthony Braxton, Mike Gibbs, Vince Mendoza and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Her busy freelance career has found her playing with Peter Erskine (CJO), Kenny Wheeler, Art Farmer, Julian Arguelles, Stan Sulzmann, Norma Winstone, Dave Holland, TinaMay, Tony Coe, Joe Locke and Rufus Reid.

Although well known as a pianist , composition remains a major part of her musical life with commissions including The London Sinfonietta, The London Philharmonic’s Renga and The National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

With a parallel career as a widely respected teacher, Nikki is Professor of Jazz Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and Middlesex University as well as giving masterclasses around the world. She has been a driving force behind the Jazz syllabus at the ABRSM and continues to publish with Oxford University Press.