Nick Rolfe

Nick Rolfe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Seattle, Washington. He began studying piano at the age of six, learning both classical and modern pop repertoire. Rolfe began his collegiate studies at Cornish College of the Arts, the leading music school in Seattle. At Cornish Nick was heavily influenced by his early mentors, trombonist Julian Priester and saxophonist Hadley Caliman. After two years at Cornish, Nick moved to New York City and completed his B.F.A, in music performance, at the New School for Social Researches' Mannes Conservatory. Nick Rolfe is a highly versatile musician, currently playing with various r and b, jazz, gospel, funk and alternative groups in and around New York. Nick has performed and/or toured with numerous musicians including: saxophonist Frank Foster, drummer Charlie Persip, bassist Eddie Gomez, alto-saxophonist Arnie Lawrence, trumpeter Jimmy Owens, saxophonist Billy Harper, bassist Buster Williams, bassist Reggie Workman, bassist Cecil McBee, drummer Cecil Brooks III, saxophonist Don Braden, trombonist Steve Turre, bassist John Lee saxophonist Benny Golson, drummer Winard Harper, drummer Gene Lake, actress/vocalist Carrie Smith and actor/comedian Dave Chappelle (including Dave's critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut), Grady Tate, Flutist Bobbi Humphrey, 2x Grammy Nominated Trumpeter Russell Gunn and Ethnomusicology, drummer T.S. Monk, actor/choreographer Hinton Battle, soul singer Amel Larrieux, soul singer Alison Crockett, UK nu-soul pioneer Omar, U.K. Soul sensation Julie Dexter and Verve recording artist Lizz Wright. Nick Rolfe's award-winning (SESAC National Performance Award) debut as a leader, "The Persuader" (Blue Jay Records) was the #5 jazz record in the United States on multiple charts in 2001. Both as a leader and a sideman, Rolfe has toured extensively, nationally and internationally. He has received critical acclaim for performances in support of his most recent albums "The Remedy" [2003] and "The Mind Of An Evolutionary" [2005] as well as his work as a highly sought-after piano player/keyboardist for other artists.