Dan Nimmer (born 1982) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

pianist and composer.

Early life

Nimmer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1982. He started playing the piano by ear.Keogh, Tom (June 28, 2008
"Jazz Pianist Dan Nimmer Shares the Key to His Success"
''The Seattle Times''. He had classical music lessons, and studied jazz at the

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is an independent music school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It teaches classical, jazz, rock, folk, and blues and hosts musical concerts throughout the year. It is housed in a Neoclassical-style mansion built ...

from the age of 15. His parents also took him to hear local musicians perform, and he had the opportunity to play with them. While a student at

Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois. It was founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895, by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld as part of an expansion of the state's system ...

, Nimmer continued playing in Chicago clubs.

Later life and career

Nimmer moved to New York in 2004. In the following year, he joined the

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is an American big band and jazz orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. The Orchestra is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a performing arts organization in New York City. History In 1988 the Orchestra was formed a ...

. He also became pianist in a variety of bands led by trumpeter

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Award ...

. Nimmer's second recording as leader was ''Kelly Blue'', a tribute to pianist

Wynton Kelly Wynton Charles Kelly (December 2, 1931 – April 12, 1971) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He is known for his lively, blues-based playing and as one of the finest accompanists in jazz. He began playing professionally at the age of ...

.Conrad, Thomas (May 2007
"Dan Nimmer Trio – Kelly Blue"
''JazzTimes''.

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".Wilmeth, Tom (February 29, 2012
"Concert Review: The Dan Nimmer Trio"
''JazzTimes''. 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".

Discography

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nimmer, Dan 1982 births American jazz pianists American male pianists Living people Musicians from Milwaukee Northern Illinois University alumni Wisconsin Conservatory of Music alumni 21st-century American pianists 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra members