Pianist/composer/educator
Nina Ott is originally from Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up in a household full of fervent music lovers. The music of Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Joao Gilberto or Beethoven could be heard on any given day there. She began playing piano at age 7 and continued her classical training through college, where she earned her bachelor's degree in piano performance. Ms. Ott was always intensely drawn to improvisation and jazz but it wasn't until after her formal training that she became a serious student of the art form. This decision prompted a move to Boston, where she studied with jazz legends Jerry Bergonzi and Charlie Banacos. Listening became an obsession with main influences on piano being Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Jaki Byard, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington.

Nina began to play professionally in Boston. Her first steady paying job was with the White Heat Swing Orchestra, playing the charts of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson among other greats. This afforded her the opportunity to work with many of Boston's finest players. Nina also held a steady trio gig at the Boston Harbor Hotel for two years, working with Joe Hunt, Take Toriyama, Nat Mugavero and others.

Ms. Ott spent 5 years in Chicago in the 90's, which proved to be a very fertile ground due to the amount of jazz being played there at that time. While in Chicago, Nina regularly heard pianist Jodie Christian, and guitarist Bobby Broom other major influences. Upon moving there Nina soon became a part of the music scene playing with saxophonists Pat Mallinger and the late great Lin Haliday, guitarist Jeff Parker and drummer George Fludas at places like the Green Mill, Andy's and The Bop Shop.

Since then, Nina has been performed with numerous musicians from both jazz and latin idioms, including Ralph Peterson, Jesus Andujar, Gerald Cleaver, Mark Turner, Equie Castrillo, Kenwood Dennard, Bernardo Hernandez and Harvey Wirht. She is a member of the Winnie Dahlgren Quintet, which toured Denmark this past year. Nina has toured Europe, Asia the Caribbean and the Northeastern US.

Ms. Ott is currently on Faculty at Berklee College of Music, where she teaches arranging. Her latest CD, "Migration", which features her original compositions is slated for release in 2005.

"Nina Ott is one of the finest pianists, composers and arrangers I have encountered in my 25 years in the business. Her sense of rhythmic sophistication is extensive and most of all there are very few musicians with the passion for pure art that Nina has..."             -Ralph Peterson

"As I listened to Nina Ott's new works, it became obvious to me that she has a true passion for creating fresh and exciting compositional landscapes." -Bennie Maupin

"Guided by the need to manifest her unique musical vision, pianist and composer Nina Ott will no doubt continue to sidestep and transform the 'usual.' Enhancing her perspective as she turns things upside down and sideways, the 'process' becomes a dance. She seems to be discovering those points where her obvious grasp of jazz traditions can resonate with her very personal approach." -Michele Rosewoman

Gallery

Nord USA is a sponsor of Nina Ott