ABOUT

Scottish Jazz Awards nominees NIMBUS SEXTET are a major talent on the European jazz scene. Led by pianist/keyboardist Joe Nichols, the multi-national contemporary jazz outfit fuses their jazz, world, hip-hop and funk influences uniquely into a strong melodic blend that has set them apart from their contemporaries. 

The core of the band’s sound comes courtesy of bandleader and primary composer Joe Nichols (keys/piano, harmonica). The full lineup includes Euan Allardice (trumpet), Michael Butcher (saxophone), Honza Kourimsky (guitar), Stephen Jack (bass) and Jack O’ Rourke (drums).

Mainstays at the Scottish jazz festivals and performing in the UK and Europe’s top jazz venues, the band have also joined the likes of Nubiyan Twist, Cykada and Youngblood Brass Band on recent tour dates. Their first UK tour took place in February/March 2020, ending in a sell-out performance at Servant Jazz Quarters in London.

The debut album from Nimbus Sextet, DREAMS FULFILLED (Acid Jazz Records, 2020)

“Stunning debut… their formidable ease to improvise around thought and powerful grooves really resonate with you when you listen to their music” – Jazz Revelations

Following the success of their self-released debut single ‘Seance’, Nichols signed Nimbus Sextet to Acid Jazz Records in spring 2019. DREAMS FULFILLED was released on October 23rd, 2020. The album received widespread critical acclaim from Jazzwise, Jazzed, Clash Magazine, BBC 6Music (including Huey Morgan and the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show) and radio stations worldwide. Their breakthrough singles, “Trap Door” and “Lily White”, featured heavily on the Jazz FM playlist for several months, with the band being awarded Jazz FM’s ‘Album Of The Week’ later in the year. Two live performance videos were premiered by Jazzed while another debuted on Clash Magazine.

The HELIX EP followed on September 3rd, 2021. It featured two unreleased recordings from the album sessions including their blistering reimagined version of Yussef Kamaal’s modern day classic “Lowrider”, which enjoyed plays on BBC6 Music and again on Jazz FM’s featured playlist. Title track “Helix” later became the basis for Inkswell’s “Intersection,” released on Tokyo Dawn Records in 2022.

Nimbus Sextet’s second Acid Jazz album FORWARD THINKER was released on May 27th 2022, marked with performances at the prestigious New Morning in Paris, sold out concerts at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Glasgow Jazz Festival and a packed out debut performance at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. They will return to Ronnie’s in June as part of a UK tour this summer.

The critically acclaimed second album from Nimbus Sextet, FORWARD THINKER (Acid Jazz Records, 2022)

“Nimbus Sextet are back with a new, even more masterful album”  – **** Jazz Magazine

First single “High Time” – featuring trumpeter Jackson Mathod (Stormzy) and singer Charlotte de Graaf (Kid Creole and the Coconuts) – was championed by Jamie Cullum on BBC Radio 2’s ‘The Jazz Show’. As with the band’s previous releases, the LP was produced by Nuovi Fratelli – production duo Wayne A. Dickson and Luigi Pasquini. It sees the band expand their musical horizons, incorporating hip-hop and dance elements to the jazz, world and funk sounds they are well known for.

Jazz FM have championed the band, awarding both of their albums the prestigious ‘Album Of The Week’ accolade upon release. FORWARD THINKER gained significant support in France, where it was championed by Vincent Caffiaux (Montreux Jazz Festival, Qwest TV) in Star Wax Magazine, Real Muzul on national French television for Clique TV and Canal Plus, and was described by the country’s leading Jazz Magazine as a “masterful album”. The band released a documentary from their performance at New Morning in Paris, featuring five live tracks from the concert and pre-show interviews. Both of Nimbus Sextet’s LP’s were produced by Nuovi Fratelli – production duo Wayne A. Dickson and Luigi Pasquini.

Title track ”Forward Thinker” is their most celebrated recording to date and includes contributions from Nathaniel Cross, Nubiyan Twist’s Jonathan Enser and percussion legend Steve Forman (Herbie Hancock, Barbra Streisand, David Bowie).  On top of global airplay from Worldwide FM, BBC Radio Scotland and Radio Nova among many others,  it received heavy rotation on the Spotify editorial playlist Jazz UK, and caught the attention of Jazz re:freshed, who included it on their Dope Jazz playlist. “Forward Thinker” continues to enjoy increased attention due to an illustrious live video session recorded at Jazz FM’s London headquarters. The track is reaching further heights presently due to a brand new Nuovi Fratelli ‘Cosmic Disco Remix’ which features additional contributions from vocalists Marianne McGregor and neo-soul group Mother All Mighty. The remix found an immediate home on Spotify’s editorial playlist Fresh Finds Jazz, which has significantly expanded the band’s reach in North America.

Nimbus Sextet are now taking their evolving sound to new audiences with a soon to be announced UK tour planned for Summer 2023, and further releases and festival appearances throughout the year.