Nick Halley

Born in New York City, and raised in the grounds of the city’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine (where his father, Paul Halley, was Director of Music), Nick Halley’s earliest memories are of the rich variety of music there, from sacred choral to contemporary jazz and African dance.

These early influences proved to be lasting. Nick majored in jazz and classical percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and spent a year studying and performing in Brazil prior to returning to New York City to The New School University’s jazz and contemporary music program. There he studied with Amir Ziv, Billy Hart, and Jamey Haddad, and entered into long- lasting musical friendships with some of the great young musicians in New York’s ever-evolving jazz scene.

Nick tours and records with groups ranging in style from traditional Scottish and Irish to gospel, jazz, Brazilian and popular music, including The Chris Norman Ensemble, various Paul Halley ensembles, and his own recently- formed Nick Halley Band. Nick has performed with artists such as Oscar Castro-Neves, Maucha Adnet, Suzie LeBlanc, Theresa Thomason, Rhonda Larson, Café, and Jamey Haddad.

When not on tour, Nick is currently based in Halifax, Nova Scotia apprenticed to his father as organist and choral conductor at the University of King’s College, St. George’s Anglican Church, and the Atlantic School of Theology. He directs workshops in percussion, music theory, and Brazilian, North African, and South Indian rhythm.

In July, Nick released his debut recording, Barnum Hill, featuring the Nick Halley Band in performances of Nick’s own compositions as well as those of other members of the Band. Showcasing the talents of rising jazz stars Matt Brewer (bass), Adam Niewood (saxophones), and Gregg Ruggiero (guitars), the traditional jazz framework is expanded in this album to encompass the wild sounds of percussion from around the world, 20th century classical music and the great pipe organ, played by Paul Halley.

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