NICKI DENNER (PIANIST)

Pianist/composer/arranger Nicki Denner has been a part of the New York Latin and jazz music scene since 1999. Before that, she was an active member of the Minneapolis music community for ten years. She has performed with Sheila E., Savion Glover, Candido, Doc Severinsen, Andrea Brachfeld, Bobby Sanabria, Harvie S., Ray Vega, Pedro Martinez, Manolo Badrena, as well other jazz and salsa artists in the United States and Europe. She has been a pianist for Lincoln Center's "Meet the Artist" program, Chicago City Limits (a New York City based improv comedy group) and "Broadway Underground" (an Off-Broadway production featuring New York's finest tap and hip-hop dancers). She has also composed for award-winning film and was commissioned by the New Jersey Tap Ensemble in 2004 to compose music for a piece choreographed by Savion Glover. She is also the Musical Director of Cocomama, an eight piece all-female salsa band.

Since 2001, she has led her own trio which features Jennifer Vincent on bass, and Willie Martinez on drums. In 2006, the trio released their debut recording, "Moliendo Café", which was named one of the "Top Ten Picks of 2006" in Latin Beat Magazine.

Ms. Denner has released two other Latin jazz CD’s as a leader, “Don’t Just Stand There” and “El Médico de Coquí” featuring Julian Llanos, former singer with Latin music legend Arsenio Rodriguez. “El Médico de Coquí” spent six months in Latin Beat magazine's Top 20 Hit Parade. In 2007, it was re-released on Consilience Productions, a new record label promoting "progressive music for the socially curious".

Along with performing, Nicki is also a devoted educator. As well as having a private teaching studio, she has served on the piano faculty of the Stanford University Summer Jazz Workshop, the Montclair State University Jazz Prep Summer Program and the New York City Tap Festival.

NICKI DENNER CON JULIAN LLANOS - EL MEDICO DE COQUI (2007)

El Médico de Coquí pairs pianist Nicki Denner with the exquisite singing of Julian Llanos (who recorded with Latin music legend Arsenio Rodriguez) featuring traditional Latin love songs with a hint of Latin jazz

Nicki Denner- piano
Julian Llanos- vocals
Rolando Morales-Matos- percussion, coro
Jennifer Vincent- bass
Mark Miller- trombone
Anton Denner- woodwinds
Shai Hayo- coro, percussion
Willie Martinez- coro

review by Peter Watrous: NICKI DENNER CON JULIAN LLANOS - EL MEDICO DE COQUI (2007)

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NICKI DENNER LATIN JAZZ TRIO - MOLIENDO CAFE' (2006)

Hard-hitting, original Latin jazz played by one of New York City's tightest trios

Nicki Denner Piano
Willie Martinez Drums, percussion, coro
Jennifer Vincent Bass
Mike Jacobsen Chekere (track 1)
Maurice Chestnut Tap dancer (track 10)

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels