Nikki Iles

Nikki Anne Iles (née Burnham; born 16 May 1963) is a British jazz composer, pianist and educator.

Early life Iles was born in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, on 16 May 1963. She started her musical education at primary school, where she learnt to play the harmonica and the clarinet, and at eleven years old she won a junior exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied clarinet and piano She became a member of the Bedfordshire Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Iles was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to music.

In 2025 Iles was announced as the new principal conductor of Hamburg's NDR Bigband.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sidewoman With Anthony Braxton Composition No. 175 / Composition No. 126: Trillium Dialogues M (Leo, 1994) With Mike Gibbs By the Way (Ah Um, 1993) With Ingrid Laubrock Some Times (Candid, 1998) With Tina May One Fine Day (33Jazz, 1999) I'll Take Romance (Linn, 2002) More Than You Know (33Jazz, 2004) A Wing and a Prayer (33Jazz, 2005–06) With Sylvan Richardson Pyrotechnics (Blue Note, 1992) With Geoff Simkins Don't Ask (Symbol, 1999) With Martin Speake Secret (Basho, 2000) With Stan Sulzmann Treasure Trove (ASC, 1995) With Dick Walter/Jazz Craft Ensemble Secret Moves (ASC, 1999)