Zurich Jazz Orchestra featuring Nikki Iles (comp., cond.)

«Female Composers»-Series

Some time ago, the ZJO launched the “Female Composers” series. This October, composer and pianist Nikki Iles will be visiting the Zurich Jazz Orchestra.

“Iles is one of the most refreshing personalities to emerge on the British jazz scene in recent times, with a fluid sound and a supple, quirky phrasing as an improviser,” writes John Fordham in The Guardian. Award-winning jazz pianist and composer Nikki Iles was a founding member of the Creative Jazz Orchestra and has worked with Mike Gibbs, Vince Mendoza, Kenny Wheeler and Anthony Braxton. She has freelanced with Art Farmer, Julian Arguelles, Claire Martin and Christine Jenson and has recorded with Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Tina May, Rufus Reid, Stan Sulzmann and Dave Holland. Although she is known as a pianist, composing remains an important part of her musical life. Recently she has received commissions from the HR Big Band (D), London Sinfonietta (UK), International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (USA), Kurt Elling (USA) and the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra (FI) and was Composer in Residence with the NDR Big Band (D) in 2023. Nikki Iles is Professor of Jazz Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. “An impressive British jazz personality rising to greatness.” (The Guardian)

The Zurich Jazz Orchestra is delighted to welcome this outstanding composer and pianist to Switzerland for her first appearance as leader of a jazz orchestra.