Nils

Born in Germany, contemporary jazz guitarist Nils Jiptner, known professionally as Nils, has established himself as both a solo performer and a sought-after session musician whose groove-oriented style draws from funk and fusion. Early notice came through Los Angeles studio work alongside artists such as George Benson and the Temptations, after which Nils pursued a solo path beginning in the 1990s. Breakthrough success followed with the smooth jazz single "Summer Night" from the 2005 album Pacific Coast Highway, succeeded by Ready to Play in 2007 and Up Close and Personal in 2009. Continued popularity has seen him top the Billboard Smooth Jazz Albums chart with What the Funk? in 2010, Caught in the Groove in 2020, and Happy to C U in 2023.

A Munich native, Nils took up the guitar in his teens under the influence of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Exposure to funk, jazz, and fusion later broadened his approach as he studied the playing of Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and Chic's Nile Rodgers. The mid-1980s move to Los Angeles allowed studies in composition, arranging, and film scoring while yielding session engagements with guitarist George Benson, trumpeter Rick Braun, and the Temptations. Solo debut Blue Planet arrived in 1998 and included guest contributions from Benson, Nathan East, Chante Moore, and others.

The 2005 release Pacific Coast Highway marked the decisive breakthrough, with its title track reaching number ten on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart and gaining major radio traction while the second single "Summer Nights" climbed to number one. Subsequent albums Ready to Play in 2007 and Up Close and Personal in 2009 also received strong acclaim; during this span Nils produced film music and contributed to television series including Weeds and Undeclared, in addition to offering guitar instruction through videos and books.

Solo activity resumed with 2010's What the Funk?, featuring the top-six smooth jazz single "Jump Start," and continued with City Groove and its number-two Billboard contemporary jazz single "Let's Bounce." Alley Cat followed in 2015 and incorporated work from Nate Harasim, Ricky Lawson, and additional musicians. Eighth studio album Play appeared in 2018 with input from longtime associate trumpeter Johnny Britt.

Caught in the Groove in 2020, again featuring trumpeter Britt, returned Nils to the top of the Billboard Smooth Jazz Albums chart. Cool Shades arrived the following year with appearances by saxophonist Steve Cole and keyboardist Jeff Lorber, while 2021's Play paired him with trumpeter Rick Braun and bassist Brian Bromberg; both projects reached the smooth jazz top ten. 2023's Happy to C U included guests saxophonist Mindi Abair and guitarist Paul Brown and peaked at number one on the smooth jazz chart.