"This acorn seems to have dropped from something other than the traditional alto tree. Biello goes his own way, and has the chops to back it up. The result is an individual, identifiable sound of his own, something close to unattainable at this point of the jazz lineage." - Paul Rauch, AllAboutJazz.com
"He does the unthinkable by being a standout sax player in a city like New York that's full of standout sax players." - Midwest Record, Vol 41
"Volcanic.... flexible yet muscular." - Jazz Weekly
"A brash new voice to New York's vibrant jazz scene." - AllAboutJazz.com
"A passionate style.... a leader with great potential." - Scott Yanow
"I like that cute kid.” - Jackie McLean
“Between Light and Shadow” - New album on La Reserve Records - dropping on May 17th, 2024!
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Saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist and composer Nick Biello is developing a reputation as an exciting and artful musician.
Nick has shared the stage with world-class artists, such as Slide Hampton, Cedar Walton, the Jimmy Heath Big Band, Rich Perry, Phil Markowitz, Steve Davis, Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band, Clarence Penn, John Benitez, Henry Cole, Harvie S, Victor Bailey, Jaimoe Johnson and Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers. He has performed at the Pescara and Bussi Jazz Festivals in Italy, as well as the Litchfield Jazz Festival, the New Haven Jazz Festival, and the Westchester Jazz Festival. Nick's saxophone has been heard at venues such as Birdland, Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center, Cellar Dog, The Iridium, B.B. King's, The House of Blues in Chicago, The Paramount Theater, The Birchmere Theater, Smalls, Smoke, Zinc Bar, The Kitano, Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, Bar Next Door, Rockwood Music Hall, Webster Theater, Infinity Hall, and Toad's Place.
Nick was accepted to the John F. Kennedy Center's prestigious "Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead" program in 2009. "Betty Carter" focuses on developing the compositional skills of participants through masterclasses and workshops. Its faculty boasts some of the most respected names in Jazz, such as Jason Moran, Ralph Peterson, and Mark Whitfield.
The Blue Note selected the Nick Biello Quartet to participate in their Thelonious Monk Emerging Artist Series in 2010. The series focused on young, upcoming talent in Jazz. The Quartet shared the stage with vibraphone legend Gary Burton.
In 2014, Nick joined the Martin Schulte Quartet for a 2-week concert series in Seoul, Korea. Topping off the tour was a performance and masterclass for the German Consulate of Korea.
Recently he was recognized for his prowess as a saxophonist and improviser by being named the winner of the Julius Keilwerth 2014 International Saxophone Idol Competition. Additionally, as part of being named the winner of the competition, Nick was afforded the opportunity to perform alongside the great Ernie Watts.
Nick has been recorded on hundreds of albums, from his own original projects to his work as a sideman for other artists. His debut album, "Vagabond Soul," released in 2017 on the Truth Revolution Recording Collective, features Phil Markowitz, John Benitez, Clarence Penn, Paul Jones, Andrew Renfroe, and Vincent Lionti. “Between Light and Shadow”, a collection of original compositions for the chordless trio format, will be released in May of 2024 on La Reserve Records and features Biello’s working trio of Alex Tremblay on bass and Peter Kronreif on drums.
In demand as a composer and arranger, Nicholas has written arrangements that have been performed by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dave Koz, and Kelly Rowland. His work has been televised on networks such as ABC and ESPN, and heard in venues in Las Vegas, L.A., and New York City. He has worked with members of the famed Apollo Theater house band in music composition and production.
Nick has studied with Jackie McLean, Steve Wilson, George Garzone, Jon Gordon, and Phil Markowitz, and holds a Master of Music Degree from Manhattan School of Music.
With experience in an array of educational environments, Nick is available as a group clinician or as a private teacher. He teaches Saxophone at The New School and New Jersey City University, is the Artistic Director of the Blaine Harbor Music Festival in Washington, and teaches private students.
Nick is a D'addario Woodwinds Artist and uses D'addario reeds and accessories.