Nikki Iles appointed new Principal Conductor of NDR Bigband, Hamburg

Today’s news from Hamburg is something special for British jazz:

“British bandleader, pianist and composer Nikki Iles will be the new Principal Conductor of the NDR Bigband from the 2025/26 season. She succeeds Geir Lysne and will lead the renowned ensemble for an initial period of two years.”

Congratulations to Nikki, this is a great moment!

The story of Nikki’s involvement with the orchestra goes back to 2021 when Geir Lysne and the NDR Bigband launched an open competition for scores, the “Komponisten- und Arrangeurpodium”. In all, more than a hundred were submitted, and five composer/arrangers were invited to Hamburg to work with the band, including Nikki Iles who had submitted the score of “Wild Oak”, written in dedication to Geri Allen, and originally commissioned by the UK’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

“Wild Oak” was later recorded by the band in an album called “Face to Face” (review below), which received a nomination for the German Jazz Prize.

Nikki’s relationship with the band clicked from the start, from the first time they played the piece – and has deepened ever since: at the end of 2022, she was appointed Composer in Residence for the year 2023. The decision announced today to appoint Nikki as Principal Conductor has been described to me by several of those involved as a “natural and organic” one, and very much reflects the view of the orchestra. Two members who are on the “Vorstand” (board) are quoted in today’s release… which appears under the punning title “Iles Ahead!”….:

Sandra Hempel and Klaus Heidenreich, board members of the NDR Bigband: “Nikki Iles is our favourite candidate for the position of Principal Conductor. We are very much looking forward to working with her.”

Nikki Iles, also quoted in today’s release, says: “I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to have a chance to deepen my relationship with the wonderful NDR Bigband as their new Chief Conductor. Over the last four years I have felt a very warm connection with them and have shared many inspiring moments in Studio 1 here in Hamburg. It is on account of this collective chemistry and trust that I have found myself, for the first time, able to consider a position such as this. The NDR Bigband is truly an ensemble for our times and they embrace this role with such passion, innovation and a wealth of experience. This is matched by a deep commitment from the organisation that allows us to focus on the music and to keep it at the heart of everything we do. I am so looking forward to programming some exciting and dynamic new collaborations as we celebrate this music in all its diversity and make meaningful connections throughout Europe and further afield. I welcome also the opportunity to connect with new audiences – offering them unprecedented sounds in new settings – and to reach out to future generations through meaningful education projects. It goes without saying that I have the greatest respect for every member of the band and really look forward to a journey full of discovery and to making some fantastic music together!”

The NDR Bigband has a substantial history of working with British musicians which goes back decades: Steve Gray, Colin Towns, Mike Gibbs have all worked frequently with the band, and more recently Trish Clowes and Charlie Bates. Trumpeter Percy Pursglove has been a member of the band since 2020. Recent projects with Nikki Iles have brought in Nigel Hitchcock, Ian Thomas, Mike Walker...

The period with Geir Lysne, nine years, is seen as having been a highly successful one. This change in artistic leadership is coming from a position of strength. And whereas Nikki Iles may be closer to North American traditions of large ensemble jazz than Lysne, that is not seen as a big issue at all. The NDR Bigband is built to distinguish itself by the sheer range of projects it takes, on. For example, to help achieve that objective of heterogeneity, there is no permanent member of the ensemble on drums. And furthermore, the group also sets a rigorous quality objective. Those two objectives of range and high quality are in the end more important than any specific stylistic identity.

Today’s press release also draws attention to three projects which Nikki Iles will direct in the coming year:

1. September 2025 ‘The Shadow of a Dream – Journeys through a Strange World’
   Nikki Iles says: ‘In this programme I have focused on themes of unity – how important it is to find empathy and common ground despite the challenges we face.
2. February 2026. ‘Luminescent Landscapes‘ with Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Kris Davis.
3. June 2025 (provisional title) ‘Spinning the Wheeler’ a Kenny Wheeler project with Norma Winstone and Dave Holland