Dan Nimmer

Dan Nimmer
Born 1982 (age 3233)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, composer
Instruments Piano
Years active Early 2000s–present
Website dannimmer.com

Dan Nimmer (born 1982) is an American jazz pianist and composer.

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 Marsalis, WyntonWynton Marsalis From the Plantation to the Penitentiary Blue Note
2007 Nelson, WillieWillie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Two Men with the Blues Blue Note
2009* Marsalis, WyntonWynton Marsalis He and She Blue Note
2009* Marsalis, WyntonWynton Marsalis Christmas Jazz Jam Compass Productions
2009 Nelson, WillieWillie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles Blue Note
2009* Temperley, JoeJoe Temperley The Sinatra Songbook Hep
2012 Tsuruta, SayakaSayaka Tsuruta All the Things You Are Venus

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Keogh, Tom (June 28, 2008) "Jazz Pianist Dan Nimmer Shares the Key to His Success". The Seattle Times.
  2. Chinen, Nate (July 28, 2012) "Back to the '60s in a Bebop Mode". The New York Times.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Conrad, Thomas (May 2007) "Dan Nimmer Trio – Kelly Blue". JazzTimes.
  4. Wilmeth, Tom (February 29, 2012) "Concert Review: The Dan Nimmer Trio". JazzTimes.