Mike Nock, a pianist and keyboardist from New Zealand who was born September 27, 1940 in Christchurch (New Zealand), is one of the most prominent modern jazz musicians. At 11 years old, he began to study piano and was performing in Australia by age 18. He was a leader of a trio that toured England 1961, and then he attended Berklee College of Music. From 1963 to 1965, he was part of Yusef Lateef’s band. Nock was active in fusion during 1968-70, as a leader of the Fourth Way, an innovator in the idiom. After a few years, he was a New York studio musician (1975-1985), and later returned to Australia. The New Zealand Music Awards named Open Door, his 1987 album, as the Best Jazz Album. He currently resides in New South Wales, where he teaches at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music and performs with his trio as well as with his big band. Dave Liebman will be his next CD release. Text contributed by users is available under Creative Commons By–SA License. It may also be available under GNU FDL.
