Biography
Nir Felder commands attention on guitar whether directing his own ensembles or contributing as a supporting player, thanks to a sound and articulation defined by natural melodic grace alongside rhythmic punch. Observers routinely liken him to Pat Metheny and Joe Satriani for his skill at unfolding stories through instrumental lines while connecting jazz, rock, and funk. Recognition arrived early through work with David Weiss and Point of Departure, Greg Osby, Mark Giuliana, and additional leaders, all well before the arrival of his widely noted 2014 debut Golden Age. In 2013, still awaiting that project’s release, he earned notice as a featured participant on Terri Lyne Carrington’s Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue. The album Golden Age established Felder as a significant new presence on his instrument, prompting six subsequent years of session dates, road work, and performances with the Band of Other Brothers collective that includes bassist Will Lee, plus French drummer Olivier Le Goas’ Reciprocity quartet.
Felder was born and raised in Katonah, New York, as a first-generation American of Israeli descent. His grandmother developed her own guitar technique playing at hootenannies across rural Galilee. With both parents employed, he returned from elementary school each day to absorb music videos on MTV, an exposure that prompted him to start playing guitar at age 13; he chose a $250 Mexican Stratocaster, an instrument still central to his work, apparently reflecting his grandmother’s straightforward approach. Intensive practice throughout high school secured admission to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he later received the Berklee guitar department’s Jimi Hendrix Award.
Following his 2005 graduation, Felder relocated to New York City, absorbing the local scene while accepting any available engagements and establishing himself among the city’s busiest sidemen. A steady slot at Small’s alongside saxophonist George Garzone soon followed, and his résumé quickly expanded to include Diana Krall, Brad Mehldau, Erykah Badu, John Mayer, Chaka Khan, Common, Dave Chappelle, Dave Matthews Band, Greg Osby, David Weiss, Meshell Ndegeocello, José James, Esperanza Spalding, Jack DeJohnette, Eric Harland, and the New York City Opera. NPR designated him “the next big jazz guitarist” in 2010.
Felder assembled the Nir Felder 4 in late 2010 and recorded his debut Golden Age the following year with pianist Aaron Parks, drummer Nate Smith, and bassist Matt Penman. Three more years passed before Sony’s revived Okeh imprint issued the set, which drew unanimous praise and launched extensive touring throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Upon returning, he resumed sideman duties with Landrus, Rudy Royston, Otis Brown III, Harland, Frank Catalano, Keyon Harrold, Taylor Haskins, and others. In spring 2020 he previewed his second album with the single and video “Fire in August,” directed by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Mariah Rehmet and assembled almost entirely from archival New York City footage drawn from the Prelinger Archives. The track was meant to launch a promotional tour, yet the novel coronavirus forced an abrupt return from France, where he had been performing. Now on Ropeadope, Felder released the aptly titled II in June with Penman and drummer Jimmy MacBride, the first of two planned projects that year; the second, 2.1, appeared in late fall.
Felder was born and raised in Katonah, New York, as a first-generation American of Israeli descent. His grandmother developed her own guitar technique playing at hootenannies across rural Galilee. With both parents employed, he returned from elementary school each day to absorb music videos on MTV, an exposure that prompted him to start playing guitar at age 13; he chose a $250 Mexican Stratocaster, an instrument still central to his work, apparently reflecting his grandmother’s straightforward approach. Intensive practice throughout high school secured admission to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he later received the Berklee guitar department’s Jimi Hendrix Award.
Following his 2005 graduation, Felder relocated to New York City, absorbing the local scene while accepting any available engagements and establishing himself among the city’s busiest sidemen. A steady slot at Small’s alongside saxophonist George Garzone soon followed, and his résumé quickly expanded to include Diana Krall, Brad Mehldau, Erykah Badu, John Mayer, Chaka Khan, Common, Dave Chappelle, Dave Matthews Band, Greg Osby, David Weiss, Meshell Ndegeocello, José James, Esperanza Spalding, Jack DeJohnette, Eric Harland, and the New York City Opera. NPR designated him “the next big jazz guitarist” in 2010.
Felder assembled the Nir Felder 4 in late 2010 and recorded his debut Golden Age the following year with pianist Aaron Parks, drummer Nate Smith, and bassist Matt Penman. Three more years passed before Sony’s revived Okeh imprint issued the set, which drew unanimous praise and launched extensive touring throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Upon returning, he resumed sideman duties with Landrus, Rudy Royston, Otis Brown III, Harland, Frank Catalano, Keyon Harrold, Taylor Haskins, and others. In spring 2020 he previewed his second album with the single and video “Fire in August,” directed by Brooklyn-based filmmaker Mariah Rehmet and assembled almost entirely from archival New York City footage drawn from the Prelinger Archives. The track was meant to launch a promotional tour, yet the novel coronavirus forced an abrupt return from France, where he had been performing. Now on Ropeadope, Felder released the aptly titled II in June with Penman and drummer Jimmy MacBride, the first of two planned projects that year; the second, 2.1, appeared in late fall.
Albums
Singles
