Tom Mason on bass
Richard Jones on violin
Nicolas Meier on all sorts of guitars…
UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more — all mixed with jazz — Meier’s versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that, even. (… so much so, that his considerable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group — carrying him on two world tours during the course of the last several years.)
Meier originally hails from Switzerland; born in 1973, to parents who are great lovers of the arts. Never short on ambition, Meier founded his own record label, MGP Records, in 2009. To date, he’s produced twelve albums: as a solo artist; in various group formats (The Nicolas Meier Group; Nicolas Meier Trio; Eclectica!; Nicolas Meier World Group); with his heavy metal band, Seven7, and; in a duo format, with long-time partner, fellow guitarist and collaborator, the fabulous UK master, Pete Oxley. (Their 2015 release, “Chasing Tales,” was a masterful, benchmark album, in the dual-guitar format.)
2017 was a breakthrough year: one in which Steve Vai’s Favored Nations Records released Nicolas’ brilliant solo album, “Infinity.” The album was recorded in LA and performed in a trio format — featuring fellow virtuosic veterans, Jimmy Haslip, on bass, and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Most recently, Nicolas has completed and released two new albums on MGP (Meier Group Productions): the already-well-received album new duo album with Pete Oxley, “The Alluring Ascent,” and; the 2019 released Nicolas Meier World Group’s pristine effort, “Peaceful” was supported with a 50-dates tour. 2020 saw the release of the World Group “Live” album recorded at Colchester Arts Centre, the Meier Budjana Group album “Flying Spirits” featuring Jimmy Haslip and the Solo Guitar Album “Stories” and metal album “Escapades” from Nicolas’ My Dark Side!
By 2022 a new World Group studio album called “Magnificent” came out. A 3 CD package including “Live” and “Stories”!!! To promote this release, lots of UK concerts and a European tour of 11 dates opening for Mr Steve Vai!!!
2025: the World Group will keep touring, while preparing a new album, and the Infinity Group new music will be out soon with a April Tour.. The Oxley Meier will also tour in May their “Mercurial Indigo” album and an incredible collaboration with singer composer Ola Onabule is also coming in also in 2025!!!
Having made a lasting impression on gentlemen the likes of the great Bill Bruford, (the aforementioned) Jeff Beck and Steve Vai, Nicolas Meier is unquestionably one of today’s most well-rounded, ambitious and masterful up-and-coming talents on guitar. Stay tuned… this is one star that is still on the rise!
“All Splendid, beguiling and perhaps even yes, Magnificent!”
Andy Robson, Jazzwise Magazine 4/5*
“Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, Mediterranean eclecticism of his own…”
Jim Gilchrist, Scotsman4/5*
“…and it might be his most impressive yet.”
George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
“Perfect”
Guitarist 8/10*
“With ‘Magnificent’ Nicolas Meier has definitely once again created a masterpiece of acoustic guitar music that fans of this genre should not miss.”
Roland Leicht, Prog Rock
“Superb music!”
George Cole, Jazz Views
“This collection often suggests a wellspring of ideas and experiences in Nicolas Meier’s head and fingers that had been waiting for an opportunity to burst out.”
John Fordham, London Jazz News
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