Biography
Since moving to Los Angeles from his native Germany in the 1980s, Nils has traveled PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) on numerous occasions. So when it came time for this acclaimed contemporary jazz artist to name the breezy title track of his current album, he looked no further than his virtual backyard. In the same tradition as Nat King Cole’s “Route 66” and Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited,” Pacific Coast Highway is a roadside celebration of America, this time from the musical viewpoint of a bedazzled and grateful immigrant. Featuring nine exquisite original compositions, the disc includes the hit title track and stellar interpretations of Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” and the 1980 Toto classic, “Georgy Porgy.” Dreamy, romantic and delectably sexy, Pacific Coast Highway comes off like the jazz-funk soundtrack to some Great American road movie.
Accompanying Nils on his musical journey is a contemporary Who’s-Who of jazz and pop, including drummer Steve Ferrone (George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Average White Band), bassist Abe Laboriel (Herbie Hancock, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles), percussionist Alex Acuna (Wayne Shorter, Rickie Lee Jones, Tracy Chapman), guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna), saxophonist Gerald Albright (Anita Baker, Whitney Houston), and singer Siedah Garrett (Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones).
NILS changed his vocation from session guitarist ( Temptations, George Benson, Rick Braun) to recording artist in 2005 when his self produced hit song PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY from the same titled CD became one of the biggest hits of the Contemporary Jazz genre. The song stayed 7 weeks number one and put Nils name on top of the list having the most played song of 2005 ahead of Dave Koz, Boney James and Kenny G. Following up with a second number one hit " Summer Nights" Nils ensured his position in the Genre. His 2007 follow up CD "Ready To Play" produced another hit song Cat Nap. His newest offering "Up Close and Personal" was released in March 2009.
As a Producer Nils created music for TV ( Weeds - Showtime, Undeclared - Fox, Film Independent Spirit Awards - IFC) He produced his own CDs (Pacific Coast Highway, Ready To Play and Up Close And Personal) as well as as Transmuteo and Journey to Eden for Violinist DOV on Lovestar records. He also produced the forthcoming CD of AC/Pop/ R&B group Gravity180 in collaboration with Eddie Brown.
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