Nikki Iles BEM | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Nikki Anne Burnham |
Born | Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK | 16 May 1963
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, educator |
Instrument(s) | Piano |
Years active | Mid-1980s–present |
Labels | 33Jazz, Basho |
Website |
www |
Nikki Anne Iles BEM ( née Burnham; born 16 May 1963) is a British jazz composer, pianist and educator.
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]
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]
Year recorded | Title | Label | Notes |
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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] |
With Anthony Braxton
With Mike Gibbs
With Ingrid Laubrock
With Tina May
With Sylvan Richardson
With Geoff Simkins
With Martin Speake
With Stan Sulzmann
With Dick Walter/Jazz Craft Ensemble