Dan Nimmer

Nimmer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1982. He started playing the piano by ear.[1] He had classical music lessons, and studied jazz at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music from the age of 15.[1] His parents also took him to hear local musicians perform, and he had the opportunity to play with them.[1] While a student at Northern Illinois University, Nimmer continued playing in Chicago clubs.[1]

Nimmer moved to New York in 2004.[1] In the following year, he joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.[1] He also became pianist in a variety of bands led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.[2] Nimmer's second recording as leader was Kelly Blue, a tribute to pianist Wynton Kelly.[3]

A 2012 reviewer commented that "The emphasis on melody during the set is noteworthy, as Nimmer never let his considerable chops dominate a piece for the sake of show. Here is a pianist who respects the song".[4] An earlier reviewer of Kelly Blue praised Nimmer's emulation of Kelly, and queried "whether Nimmer's technique and intimacy with history will eventually lead to the development of a distinctive personal voice".[3]

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.