Mike Nielsen Guitar

Mike Nielsen was born in Sligo, Ireland. He started playing music at the age of four and began
performing with local groups at the age of twelve.

Study

1979-80 studied classical guitar and music theory with Niels Krogsboll in Denmark.
1980-82 Studied classical guitar and music theory at R.I.A.M and College of Music.
1982 won a scholarship and Jim Hall incentive award to Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Mike holds a classical performance diploma (L.T.C.L) from Trinity College, London.

Teaching

Teaches jazz improvisation at Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin.
Teaches guitar and improvisation at Newpark Music Centre, Dublin.
Guest tutor at the I.A.S.J. in Dublin and Graz, Austria.
Guest teacher at Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium-Denmark, Skurup Jazz School - Sweden, Drummers Collective and The New School - New York, Berklee College and Tufts University - Boston and the Royal College of Music - London.
Master class at Cork Jazz Festival 2001.

Performance

Performed in Europe, Middle East and U.S.A.§ Played with many visiting musicians including: Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Larry Coryell,§ Kenny Werner, Simon Nabatov, Michael Moore and Joe Lovano.

Guest soloist with the Irish National Concert Orchestra on two occasions.
Solo Acoustic guitar performances include: *Dublin Jazz Festival *Cork Jazz Festival *Solo tour of
Wales *Irish tour-summer 2000 and 2001. *Irish tour-summer 2001 and 2002.

Composition

Over twenty original compositions have been recorded.
Mike has written music for solo guitar, guitar duo, flute and guitar duo,
quartet, sextet, octet and larger ensembles.
Commissioned on two occasions to write music for the octet 'TIME'
Commissioned to write music for the 25th anniversary of Newpark Comprehensive School (sixteen piece orchestra and choir).
Commissioned to compose Jazz Suite for Jazz Quintet by Kilkenny Arts

Discography

Pat LaBarbera "Ask a Simple Question"
Dave Liebman "Tomorrow's Expectations"
Dave Liebman "After Dark"
Carnataka College of
Percussion & Okay Tamiz "Mishram"
Nielsen/Guilfoyle Trio "Part One"
Nielsen/Halferty Guitar Duo "In Two"
Septet Music "Septet Music"
w/ Dave Murphy "Hong Kong"
Mike Nielsen "Live @ the Inrternet Cafe, NY",
Eric Revis-Bass.
Mike Nielsen "Solo at Garden City"

REVIEWS

"One of the best and most original jazz talents ever produced in this country"
IRISH TIMES

"M.N. is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of Europe's most distinctive and iconoclastic
guitar voices, equally innovative on electric and acoustic guitars"
SUNDAY TRIBUNE

"M.N., definitly one of Europe's most 'worth hearing' on his instrument today".
ARBETET (SWEDEN)

"I have always loved Mike's unusual approach to guitar and music in general. Truly a unique, one of a kind voice, the music here burns with creativity and passion"
SOLO GUITAR CD.SLEEVE NOTE, BY DAVE LIEBMAN

Gig Guide 2001

May 2001 - Solo guitar tour of Wales
May 31st - Solo concert-Triskel Arts centre, Cork.
June 8th - Solo concert + 2 day masterclass-Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin.
June @ J.J. Smiths -3rd, Buckley Invitation-22nd, M.Nielsen plays Ornette
Coleman-24th, w/singer Ellen Demos.
June 23rd-Mullingar Arts Centre
July 10th & 11th-Donegal Arts Festival
Aug 8th, 9th & 10th-Templebar Arts Festival w/ Jason Moran.
Aug 16th-Kilkenny Arts Festival Quentet feat. Guy Barker, Tpt. Commissioned to compose a Jazz suite for the occassion.
Aug 22nd-Lunchtime solo concert, Bank of Ireland Arts Centre.
Sept 18th-Duo w/N.H.O.P, Bass.
Oct 18th-30th-European tour w/Dave Liebman
Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Cork Jazz fest and Queen's Festival, Belfast.

Gig Guide 2002

Jan 25th-JJ Smiths, 'Don't Fret' play C. Parker. Feat. Microtonal guitar.
Feb 17th-Duo w/singer Ellen Demos
Feb 27th-Solo concert @ Dublin Guitar Week, Bank of Ireland Arts Centre.
Feb 28th-Solo concert @ Droichead Arts Centre
Mar 1st-Solo concert @ Castlereagh Borough Council, Belfast.
Apr 13th-Solo concert @ Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast
May 2nd-Solo concert @Sth. Tipp Arts Centre
Aug 28th-Solo concert @ Bank of Ireland Arts Centre.