Introduction
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. He had classical music lessons, and studied jazz at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music 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, 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. He also became pianist in a variety of bands led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Nimmer's second recording as leader was Kelly Blue, a tribute to pianist Wynton Kelly.
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". 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
| 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 | Wynton Marsalis | From the Plantation to the Penitentiary | Blue Note |
| 2007 | Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis | Two Men with the Blues | Blue Note |
| 2009* | Wynton Marsalis | He and She | Blue Note |
| 2009* | Wynton Marsalis | Christmas Jazz Jam | Compass Productions |
| 2009 | Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis | Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles | Blue Note |
| 2009* | Joe Temperley | The Sinatra Songbook | Hep |
| 2012 | Sayaka Tsuruta | All the Things You Are | Venus |