Nicolas Thys
(Acoustic and electric bass)

 
Born in 1968 in Brussels Belgium, NYC resident…………………..
Began singing and playing the piano and flute a very young age.
Started playing bass at 13, performed early on with high school friends in musicals organized by the drama department (several engagements yearly).
After high school, moved to Amsterdam to attend the conservatory of music.
Graduated 5 years (‘94) later for both instruments with CUM LAUDE, the highest distinction….
Meanwhile, Nicolas gathered different prizes and awards in Belgium, Holland and Germany, and toured  around the world.  In ’96 spent months in NY on a Dutch Government grant.Featured artist in the Swing journal in Japan.
 
Played all the major festivals /recorded as a sideman with artists as:
Lee Konitz, Mal Waldron/Jeanne Lee quartet, Jesse Van Ruller, Toshiko Akioshi’s big band, Ben Monder, Mark Turner, Peter Bernstein, Jojo Mayer ,Bob Brookmeyer, Topaz, Benny Bailey, Brussels jazz orchestra, Nils Wogram, Brazilian Girls, Zap Mama, Toots Thielemans/ Kenny Werner quartet, among others
Soundtrack ”Love the hard way” featuring academy award winner Adrian Brody
 
Currently working with Walter Lang Trio, Ben Waltzer Quartet (“ISAAC” TV show  which airs on STYLE channel daily),Gorka Benitez 4tet,Carme Canela Band,, Chris Defoort quartet feat M. Turner/Jim Black,elodie O, resident artists at NUBLU in NYC,Al funduq,T&T( with brother Toine Thys)
 
Currently teaching in Antwerpen and Leuven, and working on recording project : Nicolas Thys and the 68 monkeys feat. Chris Cheek, Ryan Scott, Jon Cowherd, Dan Rieser…
+ several other solo projects
Nicolas Thys is featured on over 30 cd’s….(Warner Bros, Fresh Sound New Talent…)