Nickel and Dime Ops Jazz/Hip Hop Fusion When a conscious rapper and some of New York City’s most exciting young jazz musicians decided to unite their talents in 2010, the goal was to push the boundaries of creativity, both musically and lyrically. After eight years of weekly residency at SMOKE Jazz Club, and somewhere around 500 performances, Nickel and Dime OPS continues to inspire spectators with their unique musical fusion and incomparable energy. Music lovers and hip hop purists have enjoyed watching the nine piece band bring down the house at such fabled venues such as Blue Note NYC, The Cutting Room, Joe’s Pub, and SOB’s, as well as other cities in the U.S. and Europe.
www.spotmeanickel.com Nickel and Dime Ops Music
Released in April 2018, Nickel and Dime Ops new album Resuscitation Released November 2015, The Soulygamist is the band’s first official Music is a culmination of growth that the band has experienced playing release. The album was produced by The Roots saxophonist, Ian Hendrickson- together for the last eight years. Produced and written by Nickel, and paid for Smith, who is also a two time Grammy winner for his work with Amy by their fans through crowdfunding, the project is a display of the musical Winehouse. His contribution added a vintage horn sound lead by master diversity and lyricism in its highest form. Special guest vocalists include trumpeter, Freddie Hendrix, that is captivating. Hard hitting hip hop anchored Grammy nominated Jean Baylor, Camille Thurman, and Boyd of Phantom by Nickel’s pen, mixed with incredible musicality, keeps this album in many Vanity. Kharisma McIlwaine from the Philadelphia Sun says “Nickel and fan’s playlist to this day. Dime Ops creates music magic again with their sophomore album.” https://open.spotify.com/album/5iB76T94TCJ7LAm4VbfKk5 https://open.spotify.com/album/4XMQXXsUhcWOwgWmgZ3RPb What the Press Has to Say
"...Nickel and Dime Operation can change the face of music. Judging from the crowd dancing in the aisles on Thursday night, (Nickel) might be onto something." - NY Daily News
“…an eclectic blend of rawness, emotion and sophistication. Their sound is unique, multifaceted and it will certainly take listeners on an unexpected journey.” - The Philadelphia Sun
"100% raw element and it's definitely a treat. No samples or computer generated beats, just soulful musical union anchored strong in the hip hop pocket by Nickel’s lyrics.” - ThisIs50.com
"Have you seen a group since The Roots that have such talent with the proper fusion of instruments? The answer is no.” - Sakeenah Benjamin of Radio One
“Nickel and Dime OPS has a sound that should have them playing arenas. If there’s any justice in the world, maybe that’s next.” - Thomas Gerbasi of Medium.com
“Nickel and Dime Ops is New York City’s breath of fresh air. They’re a hip hop group with roots in jazz, fronted by one hell of a rapper.” - ShuffleBeatMusic.com
“This dynamic group of insanely talented musicians brings together jazz and hip-hop, combining the two for an unforgettable performance.” - FlowersInAGun.com Interesting Dime Ops Facts
- In seven years Nickel and Dime Ops has performed around 500 shows at venues such as SMOKE Jazz Club, Blue Note, New York, SOBs, The Cutting Room, Joe’s Pub, The Bitter End, Ginny’s, Zinc, Bowery Electric, Sullivan Hall, Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar, Gin Fizz, Rutgers University, Guttman College, South in Philadelphia, The Summer Nostos Festival in Athens, Greece, and more.
- The resumès of the 150+ musicians that have played with Nickel and Dime Ops feature names such as Alicia Keys, The Roots, D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse, Sting, Al Green, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Pharaohe Monch, Erykah Badu, Aretha Franklin, along side President Obama, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, Wu Tang Clan, Bobby McFerrin, and many more.
- Special guests sitting in include Dr. Eddie Henderson (trumpet disciple of Miles Davis), Gregory Porter (Grammy Award winning vocalist), Jean Baylor (from Zhanè), Jacky Terrason (world renown piano player), Dennis Davis (Long time drummer for Stevie Wonder and David Bowie), T-Bone Davis (Drummer for Public Enemy), Brandon Bizzy Hollemon (Grammy award winning guitar player and producer for The Weeknd, Mims, and more)
- Some notable audience members and supporters include George Clinton, former New York Governor David Patterson, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Michael Strahan, Tamara Tunie (Law and Order, The Devil’s Advocate), Kwame, Franc D ‘Ambrosio (The Phantom of the Opera), Devin Ratray (Buzz from Home Alone).
- Nickel and Dime Ops first official album, “The Soulygamist,” was produced and mixed by Ian Hendrickson-Smith who currently plays with The Roots, and has played with The Dap Kings, Al Green, Sharon Jones, and holds Grammys for his work with Amy Winehouse.
- Although the band is usually nine pieces in total, Nickel and Dime Ops has had up to seventeen players on stage at one time.
- Nickel and Dime Ops hosts the longest lasting weekly residency in New York City that features a hip hop band performing their own material. Dime Ops Starting Cast
A firm believer in the tradition of golden age hip hop, Nickel has spent the greater portion of the last 2 decades relentlessly writing and recording lyrics with substance. Recently, he has focused his time with his jazz hip hop fusion band, Nickel and Pianist, and Composer Willerm Delisfort is a messenger of life Dime Ops. He also has several solo releases and made using music as his tool. His career extends the continuum of hundreds of cameos with various rappers and producers musical styles that ranges from Jazz, Gospel, R&B and many around the globe through his affiliation with underground hip more. Because of this, Willerm's versatility has created a high hop supergroup MHB. Nickel has opened for Jeru the Damaja, demand for him with prominent jazz, rap, soul, and fusion artists Danger Mouse, Pitbull, Biz Markie, The Alkaholiks, The including T-Pain, Savion Glover, Fareed Haque, Lew Soloff, Skatalites, Gregory Porter, The Baylor Project, and many Calvin Newborne, Corey Wilkes, Ernest Dawkins, Melton more. Mustafa Sr. and many more..
Karlea Lynne’ is a vocalist, originally from the city of Tampa, Florida. She previously attended Berklee College of Music studying jazz before moving to New York City. She has won accolades from many organizations throughout her schooling , Pittsburgh, PA, guitarist/composer/producer Andy Bianco such as the NAACP Act-So Competition, the National Young graduated from the Berklee College of Music. He has performed Arts Foundation as well as being the chosen jazz vocalist for and/or recorded with Bob Moses, Mauro Pagani, Roger Florida's All State Jazz Band Conference in 2016 and winning Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin, David Tronzo, Tony Grey, Stacy Berklee's first Jazz Soloists Competition in 2016. Her dynamic Dillard, Freddie Hendrix, Tatiana Owens, Carolyn Leonhart, range and strong stage presence has helped he earn her place as Maureen Budway, Jeff Ramsey, Leo Genovese, Phil Grenadier, vocalist for Nickel and Dime Ops and he's also the guitarist for the Grammy nominated R n' B artist Elle Varner.
Since Jason Marshall's 2003 arrival in New York City he has been known for hard swinging, forward thinking baritone saxophone playing. With Nickel and Dime Ops he showcases his talents on tenor and as musical director. With early encouragement to appreciate all Composer, bandleader, sideman and educator, Dezron types of music, Jason has developed a style that Douglas has established himself as a musician’s musician, encompasses with whole of African-American music. respected not only for his talent on the bass, but also for his Jason has played with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove dedication to the authenticity of the music. he has and Robert Glasper, as well as Erykah Badu and Mos performed and recorded with Pharoah Sanders, Cyrus Def. Chestnut, Louis Hayes, George Cables, Rene McLean, Al Foster, Ravi Coltrane, Steve Davis, as well as mainstream acts such as Wu Tang Clan, and Erykah Badu.
Wayne Tucker has played with many of today's current jazz stars such as Bob Mintzer, Cyrille Aimee and Delfayo Marsalis, as well as pop legends such as, Elvis Costello and Taylor Swift. He has performed at some of the worlds greatest venues including Avery Fisher Hall, Birdland, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, The Ravinia Norman Edwards is a two-time Grammy nominated artist Festival and The Kennedy Center. Wayne has also performed at under the Jazz Heads label with The Manhattan School of clubs and festivals all over the world. He has studied under many Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Norman is an educator great trumpeters including George Coble, Jon Faddis, Scott with Manhattan School of Music. He specializes in Drum Wendholt and Jim Rotondi. Set, Percussion, Vibes, Piano and Guitar bringing the same skill and enthusiasm for each instrument. Norman has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Pharaohe Monch, George Benson, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, John Faddis, Candido Romero, Stefan Harris, Rudy Linka, and Bobby With a strong sense of tradition and love for all things good Sanabria. music, Corey Wallace is able to reach and captivate audiences with his unique interpretations of melody and approach to improvisation and the music making process. Wallace has shared the stage and/or has studied with a host of jazz luminaries such as Wycliffe Gordon, Lee Konitz, Joe Chambers, Tim Green, Warren Wolf, and played with pop stars such as Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill. Check Out These Links For More…
www.SpotMeANickel.com (For latest news and information)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kirDyIvU4ek (“40 Wishes” Music Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8gg7uu_FDc&t=557s (NDO Live in Athens, Greece. June 2017)
www.Soundcloud.com/NickelandDimeOps (Studio and live audio recordings)
For booking info contact [email protected]