Nikolaj Hess is a Danish Pianist born in august 1967....

Nikolaj Hess is a Danish Pianist born in august 1967.He is part of a big musical family. Both his brother, Emil Hess  og Mikkel Hess are well-known jazz musicians and producers.

Nikolaj graudated from  Det Rytmiske Musikkonservatorium, (Rhythmic Conservatory) in 1989 at the age of 22.He was the first to get highest grade 13 for concert performance in piano, his main subject.
He was awarded the 1987 Gold Prize in “Berlingske Tidendes” competition for non-classical music, Copenhagen and in 1991 the RAI competition, the category ”Best European jazz pianist under age of 25”, Rome.

Nikolaj Hess later studied piano and composition in the US with Richie Beirach, Danilo Perez and Gary Dial, Sophia Rosoff and Zitta Zohar. He also studied in West Africa at University of Legon, Ghana, with master drummer Odartey, Dele Sosimi and others and played with legendary saxofonist/singer Fela Kuti in Lagos Nigeria.

Nikolaj Hess is besides being a busy musician, composer, bandleader and side man also associate professor at the Rhythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen, and have been teaching part time since 1996. He has also been teaching at New School University in New York, The Royal Danish Conservatory of Music, Conservatoire National Superieur de Music de Paris, Funda College, South Africa.

Today Nikolaj Hess is one of the most requested Danish pianists for studio recordings, live sessions, as a composer and bandleader. Nikolaj Hess has been side man for studio recordings, live concerts for several bands and musicians in nearly every rhythmical genre from jazz, pop, gospel to classical and electronica.
As producer, arranger,composer, bandleader and side man Nikolaj Hess has been recording for such renowned labels as Sony, Stunt Records/ Sundance Music, Music Mecca, Rainbow/Ex Libris, Callibrated, Music For Dreams, Storyville Records, Edel/Mega Records, Olufsen Records, Calibre, Ellipsis Art and Sunnyside Records.

The Music

Nikolaj Hess spent most of his musical life either in New York or Copenhagen if he is not touring. Nikolaj Hess has composed and arranged for solo piano, small groups, large string ensemble, big band, choirs and saxophone quartet. As musican, composer, producer and arranger, Hess has appeared on more that 100 albums since his debut with Hess Quartet feat. Hans Ulrik, Nikolaj Hess, Hugo Rasmussen, Aage Tanggaard & Lisbeth Diers [Olufsen Records 1990].

As Band leader: Both as composer and band leader he is very productive. As band leader he currently composes, tours and records with following bands:

Global Motion +
Line-up:
Nikolaj Hess (piano)
Marc Mommaas (sax)
John Hebert (bass)
Tony Moreno (Dr)
Ben Monder (gui)
Jeff Ballard (perc)

Throughout Global Motion +, Hess and his unit create a musical language of their own, one which combines the worlds of East and West, Eruope and Amerca into a dusty multicultural stew of bouncing rhythms and complex melodies.

Released the album ”Global Motion” on Sundance /Stunt Recrods in late 2009.
Find info on the release here http://www.sundance.dk/artrel.php?art=263&go=3&view=321

Spacelab
Line-up:
Nikolaj Hess (hammond)
Anders Christensen (Bass)
Mikkel Hess (drums)

Ler mais: http://www.myspace.com/nikohess#ixzz10QyXgxuJ

Danish pianist Nikolaj Hess was chosen as the best European jazz-piano player....

Danish pianist Nikolaj Hess (b1967, DK) was chosen as the best European jazz-piano player under 25 for a competition in Rome (1990), won first prize in the ‘Berlingske Tidendes competition for Rhythmic music’ (1987) and was a finalist in the European Young Artist competition in Leverkusen in 1988.

Having graduated from the Rhythmic Conservatory at 22, he was the first to get a top grade for his concert performance in piano. He has numerous recordings as a leader, co-leader and sideman, has composed and arranged for solo piano, small groups, large string ensemble, big band choirs and saxophone quartet. He has also written music for Danish films and Radio.He has been awarded many grants from the Danish government as well as from private foundations, which have twice included the Bikuben Foundation Artist-in-residence in New York.

While living in Africa, Nikolaj studied African rhythms and Composition principles in Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and South Africa. He divides his time between New York City and Copenhagen. In Denmark he is affiliated with the Rhythmic Conservatory of Copenhagen where he holds a position as an associate professor. Nikolaj Hess is sponsored by Bach Pianos Scandinavia.

a little film about the recording of Spacelab the champ. Nikolaj Hess, Anders Christensen, and Mikkel Hess in the recording studio