BIO

2007-10-17T15:33:00.001-07:00

Nick Rolfe: Musician/Actor

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: bassist Eddie Gomez, saxophonist Billy Harper, bassist Buster Williams, bassist Reggie Workman, bassist Cecil McBee, trombonist Steve Turre, saxophonist and legendary composer Benny Golson, drummer Winard Harper, actor/comedian Dave Chappelle (including Dave's critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut), trombonist Slide Hampton, the great James Moody, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, 2x Grammy Nominated Trumpeter Russell Gunn, drummer T.S. Monk, actor/choreographer Hinton Battle, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Smooth Jazz crooner Phil Perry, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, Grammy Winner Marion Meadows, Meli'sa Morgan soul singer Amel Larrieux, vocal diva Jennifer Holliday, soul singer Alison Crockett, UK nu-soul pioneer Omar, U.K. Soul sensation Julie Dexter, Verve recording artist Lizz Wright, musician/poet/actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Atlantic recording artist Laura Izibor Funk-Rock legend Nona Hendryx, Hip-Hop luminary Busta Rhymes, India Arie, Earth, Wind and Fire legend Verdine White, vocal sensation Ledisi and many others.

Nick Rolfe's award winning ( SESAC National Performance Award ) debut as a leader, "The Persuader" (Blue Jay Records) was the number 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], "The Mind Of An Evolutionary"[2005] and "A History of Things To Come" [T.A.C.S. Records 2010] as well as his work as a highly sought-after pianoplayer/keyboardist for other artists.

Along with his musical talents Nick has added acting to his resume, appearing on-screen with Academy Award winners Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes in the Emmy Nominated, Golden Globe nominated HBO Film "Doris and Bernard" directed by Bob Balaban, and with Brooke Shields in the NBC series "Lipstick Jungle". Nick will begin filming his next feature film project, "Petunia", which will begin shooting in Indiana and Chicago in Spring of 2012.

NickRolfeBio

BIO