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, world music, funk and alternative groups in and around New York as well as touring Internationally.
Nick has performed and/or toured with numerous musicians including: saxophonist Frank Foster, drummer Charlie Persip, bassist Eddie Gomez, trumpeter Jimmy Owens, saxophonist Billy Harper, bassist Buster Williams, bassist Reggie Workman, bassist Cecil McBee, trombonist Steve Turre, saxophonist Benny Golson, drummer Winard Harper, drummer Gene Lake, 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, soul singer Amel Larrieux, soul singer Alison Crockett, UK nu-soul pioneer Omar, U.K. Soul sensation Julie Dexter, Verve recording artist Lizz Wright, Cape Verdean songbird Maria de Barros, smooth jazz giant Phil Perry, Grammy Winning saxophonist Marion Meadows, singer Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, Meli'sa Morgan, Jennifer Holliday, musician/poet/actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Atlantic recording artist Laura Izibor 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] and "The Mind Of An Evolutionary"[2005] (which was re-released as a Major label release on the Columbia Music Group label in 2007) as well as his work as a highly sought-after piano player/keyboardist for other artists.
Along with his musical talents Nick has added acting to his resume. In 2008 Rolfe appeared with Academy Award winners Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes in the Emmy Nominated, Golden Globe nominated HBO Film "Doris and Bernard" directed by Robert Balaban, and with Brooke Shields in the NBC series "Lipstick Jungle". Nick is currently represented by The Talent House theatrical agency.
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