Dan Nimmer
Dan Nimmer (born 1982) is an American jazz pianist and composer.
Dan Nimmer | |
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Dan Nimmer with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - Lyon 2016 | |
Background information | |
Born | 1982 (age 37–38) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
Instruments | Piano |
Years active | Early 2000s–present |
Website | dannimmer.com |
Early life
Nimmer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1982. He started playing the piano by ear.[1] He had classical music lessons, and studied jazz at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music from the age of 15.[1] His parents also took him to hear local musicians perform, and he had the opportunity to play with them.[1] While a student at Northern Illinois University, Nimmer continued playing in Chicago clubs.[1]
Later life and career
Nimmer moved to New York in 2004.[1] In the following year, he joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.[1] He also became pianist in a variety of bands led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.[2] Nimmer's second recording as leader was Kelly Blue, a tribute to pianist Wynton Kelly.[3]
Playing style
A 2012 reviewer commented that "The emphasis on melody during the set is noteworthy, as Nimmer never let his considerable chops dominate a piece for the sake of show. Here is a pianist who respects the song".[4] An earlier reviewer of Kelly Blue praised Nimmer's emulation of Kelly, and queried "whether Nimmer's technique and intimacy with history will eventually lead to the development of a distinctive personal voice".[3]
Discography
An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader
Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel/Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Tea for Two | Venus | Trio, with David Wong (bass), Pete Van Nostrand (drums) |
2006 | Kelly Blue | Venus | Trio, with John Webber (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums) |
2007 | Yours Is My Heart Alone | Venus | Trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums) |
2009 | Modern Day Blues | Venus | Trio, with David Wong (bass), Pete Van Nostrand (drums) |
2012 | All the Things You Are | Venus | Trio, with David Wong (bass), Pete Van Nostrand (drums) |
2012 | All the Things You Are | Venus | As All the Things You Are, above; with Sayaka Tsuruta (vocals) on some tracks |
As sideman
Year recorded | Leader | Title | Label |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Wynton Marsalis | From the Plantation to the Penitentiary | Blue Note |
2007 | Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis | Two Men with the Blues | Blue Note |
2009* | Wynton Marsalis | He and She | Blue Note |
2009* | Wynton Marsalis | Christmas Jazz Jam | Compass Productions |
2009 | Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis | Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles | Blue Note |
2009* | Joe Temperley | The Sinatra Songbook | Hep |
2012 | Sayaka Tsuruta | All the Things You Are | Venus |
References
- Keogh, Tom (June 28, 2008) "Jazz Pianist Dan Nimmer Shares the Key to His Success". The Seattle Times.
- Chinen, Nate (July 28, 2012) "Back to the '60s in a Bebop Mode". The New York Times.
- Conrad, Thomas (May 2007) "Dan Nimmer Trio – Kelly Blue". JazzTimes.
- Wilmeth, Tom (February 29, 2012) "Concert Review: The Dan Nimmer Trio". JazzTimes.