Nils

SMOOTH JAZZ GUITARIST

Los Angeles, CA

 

Nothing, not even a global pandemic, could stop Nils from dominating the radio airwaves with those trademark ultra-melodic, funky and infectious vibes that perfectly reflected the title of his 2020 album Caught in the Groove. Billboard declared the multi-talented guitarist, composer and producer the #1 Smooth Jazz Airplay Artist for all of 2021 and again for 2023 for his follow up hit CD Cool Shades. A 19 year legacy of radio hits that began with making contemporary jazz history with his first #1 “Pacific Coast Highway,” which was Billboard’s Song of the Decade 2001-2010. Followed up by the song of the year 2011, “Jump Start”, which stayed an amazing 11 weeks on #1 on the charts.

While acquiring his current production skills as a studio engineer in the 90s, Nils started doing sessions as a rhythm guitarist for everyone from Rick Braun to The Temptations. In 1998 he wrote the song “Keep Rollin’ ” for George Benson on his Standing Together CD. The legend returned the favor and recorded a duet with Nils his Debut CD Blue Planet. His breakthrough came with the extraordinary success of “Pacific Coast Highway.” Nils kept the momentum going and recorded 13 solo albums to date.

“The Best of Nils could easily be called “The Best of Contemporary Jazz” for the impact these tracks have had on the smooth jazz radio format.”
— JONATHAN WIDRAN, NOTED JAZZ JOURNALIST

His constant presence on Smooth Jazz Radio led to his nomination for “Best Guitarist” at the American Smooth Jazz Awards. Jazz critic Jonathan Widran noted “His 2014 release Jazz Gems: The Best of Nils – could easily be called “The Best of Contemporary Jazz” for the impact these tracks have had on the smooth jazz radio format.”

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

VENUE & FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Algarve Jazz Festival – Portugal
Jazz Legacy Festival – Norfolk, VA
Mallorca Jazz Festival – Mallorca, Spain
Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival – Avalon, CA
City Of Lights Festival – Las Vegas, NV
Seabreeze Jazz Festival – Dustin, FL
Norfolk Jazz Festival – Norfolk, VA
WSJT’s Smooth Jazz Fest – Clearwater, FL
Long Beach Jazz Festival – Long Beach, CA
Lexus Jazz Festival – Newport Beach, CA
Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival – Augsburg, Germany
Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival at the Cube – Austria
Ellington Jazz Radio Concert – Berlin, Germany
San Diego Jazz Festival – San Diego, CA
Smooth Jazz Fall Festival – Davenport, IA
Comerica City Fest – Detroit, MI
Grand Rapids Jazz Festival – MI
Ludlows Garage- Cincinnati, OH
Balcones Heights Festival – San Antonio, TX
Pizza Express – London, UK
Jazz in the Woods – Overland Park, KS
Breckenridge Summer Festival – Breckenridge, CO
Mable House Barnes Amphitheater – Atlanta, GA
City Jazz Fest at PGE Park – Portland OR
Jazz on the River – Fayetteville, NC

PRESS

  • 1998 released “Blue Planet” featuring an All-Star lineup including, George Benson, Phil Perry, Nathan East, Bobby Lyle, Saidah  Garret, Gerald Albright and more

  • 1998 Platinum Record Award for guitars on The Temptation’s “Phoenix Rising” CD

  • 1999 “Yesterday’s Dream” Duet w/ George Benson #2 on British Jazz Radio

  • 2005 released “Pacific Coast Highway” ‐ Song of the Year and Song of The Decade (most played smooth jazz song on US and Canadian radio since 2000)

  • 2006 released “Summer Nights” – 2nd consecutive Number 1 Hit on R&R charts.

  • 2007 follow up CD “Ready to Play” spurs Top 10 hits “Cat Nap” and “ Ready To Play”

  • 2009 released “Up Close and Personal” two singles were in the Top 20

  • 2010 nominated for “Best Guitarist” at 1st American Smooth Jazz Awards

  • 2011 released “What the Funk?” CD first single “Jump Start” is 12 weeks number 1 on
    Billboard becomes – Billboard song of the year (most airplay for 2011)

  • 2011 second single “Shake It” top 10 in Billboard.

  • 2012 released “City Groove”, first single  “ Let’s Bounce ” reaches #2 on Billboard

  • 2014 released “Jazz Gems – Best of Nils” album with 15 top 20 Billboard hits

  • 2020 produced /co-wrote Billboard #1 smooth jazz song for Lisa Addeo “ Listen to This”

  • 2020 released new album “Caught in the Groove” with the first two singles released “Caught in the Groove” and Outta Sight” both hitting #1 on the Billboard charts

  • 2021 2 more singles “Above the Clouds  and “ I Like the way you do it” hit the top 10

  • 2021 His most successful album to date “Caught in the Groove” earned him Airplay Artist of the Year by Billboard, Groove Jazz, smoothjazz.com and Spotify with most airplay in this genre before Boney James

  • 2022 release of “Cool Shades” 4 singles hit Billboard top 10

  • 2023 Cool Shades is album of the year in SmoothJazz.com and Nils is Smooth Jazz Airplay

  •  Artist of the Year in Billboard

 SAMPLE RECORDINGS