Nicholas Hoffman

Nicholas Hoffman

Nicholas Hoffman, a Chicago native, has been heavily influenced by some of the longtime jazz denizens of the Windy City like Von Freeman and Bunky Green, who give their own flavor to the jazz music they have been playing for many years. A good part of Hoffman's formal musical education also was in the Windy City. He studied with resident guitarist Ernie Denov and pianist Willie Pickens and attended DePaul University before heading off to Boston's Berklee College of Music in 1976. His first gig was in Chicago in 1977 with his band dubbed Enamon, named after the classic Dizzy Gillespie tune. The group included M-base icon, Steve Coleman.

Now working out of the Northwest, his two self-produced folders reveal his dedication to the Hammond B3 organ. His first CD, Nick's Tricks, features Barney McClure and his second, Jazzy's Dance, has Joey DeFrancesco as the co-star. This combination of guitar and B3 brings back images of similar memorable instrumental pairings from the past like Eddie Lockjaw Davis/Shirley Scott and Grant Green/Larry Young. With the organ being such an important element to his approach to jazz, Hoffman's playing emphasizes the blues influence of jazz, along with a nod to rhythm & blues.

Hoffman works with his group at jazz venues in the Northwest, produces concerts, and gives private lessons. He has produced concerts honoring the music of Charlie Parker and Miles Davis for their 75th and 70th birthdays, respectively. Dave Nathan