In Conversation with Nikki Yeoh, Jazz Pianist, Composer, Educator and Presenter

We spoke with the multi-talented Nikki Yeoh, recognised as one of the most groundbreaking contemporary jazz composers and pianists of her generation. At Guildhall School, Nikki serves as the Progression Lead for Music Education Islington (MEI), the Music Education Hub for the London Borough of Islington, which Guildhall School is the lead delivery partner for. Nikki curates a unique jazz course that runs at one of MEI’s after-school Music Centres every Monday during term-time.

Currently a Principal Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, Nikki also runs the jazz ensembles for Camden Music and her compositions are featured in the ABRSM Piano Grade books. Beyond her teaching, Nikki hosts a regular music residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, ‘Nikki Yeoh’s Nucleus Sessions’ and presents a weekly show on Jazz FM. Her incredible 30-year contribution to music education was officially honoured in October 2024, when she won the prestigious APPJAG Parliamentary Jazz Education Award.
 

Hi Nikki! Please can you tell us your biography in one sentence.

Hi, I’m Nikki Yeoh, Jazz Pianist, composer and educator, Lifelong musical explorer, happiest when creating music and musical situations that challenge, connect, inspires and surprise people. 

You’re one of the most ground-breaking contemporary jazz composers and pianists of your generation. How did you get to where you are now?

It’s lovely to be considered that way, but I’m still on a massive creative journey. I don’t ever think we really arrive at the destination, that’s part of the fun! Not withstanding that, I’ve been on this journey for a while now. Nothing is linear in my experience, in many ways I’m still trying to get back to where I started, creatively speaking! But with regards to longevity in the industry, I think it’s about valuing connections, still having an inquisitive mind, practising daily and being open to change. 

You’ve worked with the likes of Courtney Pine, Billy Cobham, Sir George Martin, Nigel Kennedy, The Root, John Surman and Neneh Cherry (to name a few), that’s a very impressive list! Is this as fun as it sounds? Can you tell us any stories about working with these artists?

Yes, being a musician is fun! For a long time I was always the youngest person in the band, so I’d listen to the older musicians (who were sometimes only a little bit older than me and sometimes a lot older than me!). On one occasion, a musician said to me that he started to get a bit fed up with early ‘lobby calls’ for flights to gigs etc, but then he had to remind himself how lucky he was to have the opportunity to do what he loves, travel the world and get paid for it. That really stuck with me and I always aim to embrace every gig and every travel opportunity as if it is the first time, whether that’s jetting off to St Lucia or sitting on the train to Birmingham (I love Symphony Hall by the way!) . The common denominator of all the great musicians I’ve worked with is their unwavering commitment to the pursuit of musical excellence, improvement and their focused work ethic. 

With such a packed schedule of teaching, composing, presenting and performing, how do you find the time and energy to fit everything?

Music is my love, my passion and my calling. I never feel tired by music, in fact it gives me energy, I could not imagine a life without music…although I might THEN get more sleep... 

You have a music residency at Ronnie Scott’s as part of their Late Show series, which runs throughout the week from 11.15pm. Can you tell us more about this? 

‘Nikki Yeoh’s Nucleus Sessions at Ronnie Scott’s’ was launched in September 2024, My first guest was Deschanel Gordon who I met when I was the musical director for BBC Young Jazz Musician and he won the competition in 2020. The session is in memory of my late tutor Ian Carr (a lecturer at Guildhall School) who I studied with at the Weekend Arts College. He was very open minded and encouraged his students (Julian Joseph, Jason Rebello, The Mondesir Brothers, Yolanda Charles to name a few) to compose and be unique. Ian’s pioneering Jazz Fusion band ‘Nucleus’ is where the sessions get their name from. Each month, I invite a different artist, with the prerequisite that they are unique and pushing the music forward. There’s a jam session in the second half, with the same ethos.

What brings you the most joy out of all the many roles you play?

I feel immensely privileged to be in the position to be able to wear many hats cut from the same cloth. Music is the cloth and the different roles are just different hats that always overlap... like a giant sombrero! For example, when I’m working with a student band and I need to arrange a horn line (often on the spot) it’s different than writing for a pro band. I wouldn’t put a beginner on a higher trumpet harmony, or the chord/ line would lose it’s punch. But I want everyone to play, I love inclusion, so I’d adjust according to the students ability but without compromising on the music. The joy comes from hearing the music sound good, more joy comes when those players go on to break through (such as Nubya Garcia, Laurie Milton, Marcus Bonfanti…and many more). Performing is where I can directly touch the soul of the listener. Connection and healing is my drive for all things musical and also in life. Being a presenter and being able to share great music with thousands of people every week is brilliant too. Not only does this enhance the life of those tuning in, but to be able to showcase cutting edge jazz in a world where art is increasingly being side-lined, is not only joyful but necessary!

How does anyone that wants to be a musician get themselves out there?

The world has changed so much since I started out. When I had my first proper gig under my own name at the Jazz Café in 1994, social media didn’t exist. However I did EVERYTHING I could to let people know about the gig -- flyers, newspaper, interviews, radio - and the gig sold out. Social media is great, there is also a lot of information available now about everything, so everyone is looking to make themselves stand out. In a never-ending sea of information with endless tides of opportunity, I think the thing that still resonates with people is excellence. Find what you love and what matches your energy and do that, not what everyone says is hip... fashion comes and goes. 

In today’s social media-driven world, how do you feel these platforms can impact or shape the life of an artist?

Well, my generation had to seek out information from friends, teachers, records, gigs. Before that (ahem…WAY before that...) Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and their contemporaries would gather around a Juke box and pretty much have to recall as much musical information after one listen (so their ears were amazing by default!) Whereas today, we can rewind and rewatch whatever we want, whenever we want to. So, it’s a different way of learning. The term ‘Instagram Jazz Musician’ has been floating around recently. I guess the ‘cats’ of my generation and before would say to younger musicians…’ "don’t forget about the context, the beauty and message lies in the story, not in the fastest sentence you can recite!'"

You work for Music Education Islington, Guildhall School’s partnership with Islington Council. Thanks to some amazing funders, young people in Islington can access free or affordable music lessons, instruments, and performance opportunities. How important is provision like this for young people local to Islington?

I’m Islington born and bred. I grew up on an Islington Council estate and all of my education until age 18 was in Islington. My secondary school was pretty rough, but we had free instrumental lessons. Without those opportunities I’m sure there would be a lot less musicians from working class backgrounds in orchestral pits, playing on international world stages and lecturing in conservatoires. Musical talent isn’t only bestowed upon those whose families can afford it. MEI’s work is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in action. Fostering the future of social mobility and giving young people a safe place to be part of a community, express themselves, make new friends in a non- judgemental environment and just have a really brilliant creative time. (I love working there, that’s obvious isn't it?!)

One of the learning opportunities that Music Education Islington provides is the Jazz and Beyond course that you run every Monday as part of MEI's Music Centres. Can you tell us a course highlight?

When I was learning with Ian Carr, one of the most inspiring things was that he was a practising musician. He would come into the classroom, just having returned from working with George Russell or from interviewing Miles Davis or Keith Jarret for their biographies. If he couldn’t make it he’d send in John Marshall (drummer for ‘Soft Machine’ and ‘Nucleus’). So, I have created a course where the students have access to ‘the real deal’… Those who CAN…teach! It’s the way that jazz has been passed down on the bandstand from older musicians to younger musicians.

How would someone go about joining the course? Is any experience required?

Just visit the website and sign up for a free taster session. You’ll need some experience on your instrument to join a band but we have a few different bands with various levels of experience. Come and check it out, we also have one to one and some group (keys/guitar/vocals/horns/drums) lessons that work really well alongside band practice.  

What is the one change that you would like to see in music education?

More schools prioritising GCSE and A Level music options. Many schools do not offer Music and the arts as an option. It’s as if Sir Ken Robinson’s famous TED Talk never happened! The Arts in general are being pushed out. Not everyone can or wants to be a Doctor.

How important is the Governments Music Plan to ‘turn up’ the music industry to support grassroot events, organisations and venues?

It’s super important to have places where musicians can grow, make mistakes, try things out and develop. You wouldn’t expect a surgeon to perform unassisted open-heart surgery on their first day of work, every professional needs time in that occupation to develop and grow. I just hope it’s enough of an investment to really make an impact.

Lastly, a couple of fun questions… How are you spending your summer?

Gardening on my allotment and learning new ways to use up ‘gluts’ of fruit and veggies. Last year I made a courgette cake, courgette fritters, courgette fries, courgetti spaghetti… so if the heatwave hasn’t completely destroyed everything, who knows what I’ll learn this summer! 

With so much going on, what does taking time for yourself look like?

Time spent in nature whenever possible. We have so many lovely nature spots in London, but my favourite place is in the garden with my family and my cats (who are my family too!) eating good food and listening to music. 

If you had to recommend one jazz track to listen to this summer, what would you choose and why?

George Duke's ‘Brazilian love affair’. It’s sunshine in audio form. Great musicianship and so vibesy! 

Thank you so much Nikki! 
 

Find out more about Nikki’s Jazz Course. The course runs for ten Mondays each term, from 4.30-6.30pm, at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School, N1 9QG.