A joint presentation between JazzLeeds and Howard Assembly Room

“When a musical jeweller with an imagination of remarkable aural refinement meets a jazz orchestra which combines playing of super-fine precision and warmth with a total commitment to the music’s singular ebb and flow, remarkable things can happen… “
Peter Quinn

“Iles is one of the most refreshing figures to have emerged in the UK scene in recent times, with a liquid sound and supple, obliquely resolved
phrasing as an improviser” John Fordham

Award winning pianist and composer, Nikki Iles brings her 20 piece Jazz Orchestra to Leeds, the city where she learnt her musical craft. The big band  marks a new chapter in her long and distinguished career in British Jazz, gathering together commissions from over the years, new orchestrations of her own small band tunes and new compositions, all played by the remarkable band she has assembled. The depth and range  of the exhilarating writing and arranging suggest it will be less like a debut, but more like seasoned hand and a distinctive voice, with the music bought to vivid life by a top drawer band.

About Nikki Iles

“Formidably creative…. “The Heroine of British Jazz …” John Fordham (Guardian)

As a founder member of the hugely innovative Creative Jazz Orchestra in the early 90s, Nikki Iles came to prominence working with musicians such as Anthony Braxton, Vince Mendoza, Mark Anthony Turnage, Kenny Wheeler and Mike Gibbs.

Mike subsequently booked her for one of her first recording dates with great American musicians, Steve Swallow and Bob Moses on the CD “By The Way” on AH HUM records. For many years, Nikki served a lengthy apprenticeship in the North of England playing with the cream of British and American jazz such as Peter King, Iain Ballamy, Art Farmer, Peter King ,Tina May, Tim Garland and Jim Mullen.

Many of these relationships were re- kindled later ,when after a car accident, Nikki finally decided to make the move to London in 1998. Here she joined the groups and toured and recorded with musicians such as Steve Arguelles, Mick Hutton, Martin Speake, Stan Sulzmann and Julian Arguelles and Norma Winstone .

Recent work has taken her across the world as a member of the Julian Arguelles Octet, The Kenny Wheeler Big Band, Claire Martin and “The North “, a Scandinavian/Anglo/Canadian collaboration featuring Percy Pursglove and Anders Morgensen.

Her recordings are – “Hush “ with Americans, Rufus Reid and Jeff Williams. “Mirrors “ with Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone, Lush Life with Stan Sulzmann and Dave Holland and with her own group, The Printmakers “Westerly”.

The last few 3 years also marks a new chapter in her long and distinguished career with writing for larger forces. This new music will be taking her across the world directing bands in Hungary, Germany ,Prague, Ireland and Colorado, which has culminated in her being awarded the directorhip of the great NDR radio big band in Hamburg from autumn 2025.

Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra at Howard Assembly Room, Leeds on Sunday 27 April 2025

Doors 4pm  Music 4-7pm