7 Oct 2024

From Ngaruawahia to the world stage: Jazz legend Mike Nock

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 7 October 2024
Jazz pianist Mike Nock is being inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame.

Jazz pianist Mike Nock is being inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Karen Steains Photography

Mike Nock is one of New Zealand's greatest jazz musicians.

He's played around the world with some of the biggest names  -  Miles Davis, Yusef Lateef, Art Blakey, Johnny O'Keefe, Dionne Warwick, and Michael Brecker.

He has more than 40 albums to his name, and over a hundred on which he's featured as a player.

Born in Christchurch, he grew up in Ngāruawāhia , where the radio featured large. 

After seven decades at the top of his game, Mike Nock is to be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Wellington tomorrow.

He told Kathryn the honour is even more special coming from his country.