Saxophone and woodwind artist (Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophones; Clarinet; Flute/Piccolo), jazz composer, educator and creative project leader: Niels Rosendahl studied at the Australian National University (ANU) School of Music (SoM) under John Mackey, and was dynamically involved in all aspects of the SoM’s life, performing nationally in, and composing for many of the school’s ensembles incuding: Big Band, Commercial Band and Recording Ensemble. Niels graduated 2005 with a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours, the University Medal and the Peter & Lena Karmel Anniversary Award, awarded to the most outstanding music graduate of their year.
With the aid of a B.B.M. Scholarship (which focuses on youth ambassadorship and cultural links between the U.K. and Australia) Niels lived in Edinburgh and London between 2006 and 2008. There he studied with internationally renowned musicians and educators: Tommy Smith, Gilad Atzmon, Paul Wertico, Barry Harris, Rufus Reid and Mornington Lockett. Niels became an active member in the London jazz scene, performing various bands, notably the jazz collective JazzArc, and also toured Europe with professional musical theatre shows: West End’s The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas; and The Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra. Performance venue highlights from Niels’ tenure in the U.K. include: Ronnie Scott’s and The Vortex jazz clubs in London; The Jazz Bar and The Lot jazz clubs in Edinburgh; and the Olympia theatre in Paris.
In 2007, Niels project managed, produced and released his debut jazz album Impossibly Simple, an album featuring all original Rosendahl compositions and showcasing his versatility as a composer as well as an instrumentalist. It is now available on iTunes.
In mid 2008, Niels returned to Australia from the U.K. and took up employment at the Australian National University School of Music where he is currently employed in academic roles as a lecturer/convener in jazz studies, focusing on pre-tertiary education, and administrative capacities.
As well as Australia and the UK, Niels has also performed in Ireland, France, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Viet Nam, The Basement in Sydney, and has performed at noteworthy music festivals including: London International Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival, Adelaide International Guitar Festival, National Folk Festival and Narooma International Blues & Rockabilly Festival.
Niels is currently a full-time member of three professional music ensembles who perform nationally: Fiona Boyes and The Fortune Tellers, Vertical, and Who’s Ya Daddy (please see Current Projects for more information on these ensembles). Additionally, Niels is in demand around the country as a versatile sideman, in a variety of music performance settings including professional musical theatre, jazz and classical concerts, commercial music, and television appearances.
As well as continually devloping his artistic capabilities, Niels is additionally undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Management (under full scholarship) at the ANU College of Business and Economics.
