Mike Nock

Since his first Australian recordings in 1960-61 pianist/composer Mike Nock’s career has spanned a wide range of contemporary music. Living in the US from 1961- 1984 he worked closely with many top musicians and became widely recognized through his Jazz-Rock group THE FOURTH WAY. He has remained at the forefront of Australasian jazz through his many recordings and tours since returning in 1985.

His compositions encompass a broad range of instrumentation and style, including jazz groups of all sizes, string trios/quartets, woodwind/percussion ensembles, solo piano music and orchestral works and have been commissioned and performed by a wide range of top jazz and classical musicians.

Recent CD’s featuring his compositions include....AN ACCUMULATION OF SUBTLETIES - Mike Nock trio - awarded BEST AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM at the 2011 Australian Jazz Bell awards.
INLAND - Michael Houston ( BEST NZ Classical ALBUM, 2009 ) -
IN THE TIME OF SAKURA - Michael Kieran Harvey - the piano music of Mike Nock -
The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra - PLAYS THE MUSIC OF MIKE NOCK -
MEETING OF THE WATERS - The MIKE NOCK PROJECT ( Jazzhead 086 )

Mike Nock tours widely, recently appearing at the 2010 TOKYO JAZZ FESTIVAL with his trio and BigSmallBand and his biography “SERIOUS FUN - the Life and Music of Mike Nock” by Norman Meehan ( Victoria University Press ) is now available.

Recent honours include induction into the Bell Awards Australian Jazz Hall of Fame ( 2009 ), New Zealand Order of Merit ( ONZM ) in 2003, the Jazz ARIA Award in 2007, and the 2004 Bell award for Best Australian Contemporary CD - LIVE - Mike Nock’s BigSmallBand.