Nikolaj Hess (b. 1967) is a Danish jazz pianist, composer and arranger who graduated from the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen - the youngest student admitted and the first to receive the top grade in piano. His career spans jazz, chamber music and film scoring, including music for Lars von Trier's Melancholia, and he has won two Danish Music Awards as well as the composers' union Autor honorary prize. He holds a lectureship at the Royal Danish Academy of Music (RMC) and has collaborated with musicians ranging from Claus Waidtløw and Marc Mommaas to Sissel Vera Pettersen.
Nikolaj Hess released the album Portrait in Black and White with the quartet Portraits in Jazz, which also includes saxophonist Claus Waidtløw, bassist Anders Christensen and drummer Jakob Høyer.
During 2026, Hess released a series of singles, including 'Ballad For Bernt', 'Night Nurse', 'You've Changed', 'Cliff' and 'Nocturne'.
Hess released the singles 'Ride The Tide' and 'Little Heartache' in 2025.
The album Transformative Reflections - Red Studio was released in 2024 with, among others, Marilyn Mazur, Tony Scherr and Kenny Wollesen.
Hess released At the Movies in 2023 together with Anders Christensen and Mikkel Hess.
Pianist Nikolaj Hess and author Naja Marie Aidt meet in an unpredictable concert where improvisation, readings, and music merge without a fixed script.
Nikolaj Hess and Naja Marie Aidt share the stage in a programme blending literature and music, where improvisations meet texts in the moment.
An intimate improvised duo concert by Ane Trolle and Nikolaj Hess, performed by candlelight at Tegners Museum as evening falls.
