Nick Di Maria is trumpeter, composer, podcaster, activist and educator based in New Haven, CT

A graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance. Nick has been a student Dr. Eddie Henderson since 2003. Other musical mentors include Dave Scott, Jeremy Pelt, Taylor Ho Bynum and Rich Clymer. Nick also holds a Masters of Science in Music Education.

Nick began playing music at age 9 and over the years has played in multiple genres from jazz to reggae to classical to punk. In 2001 Nick joined the CT Ska/Punk scene playing with the band, The Flaming Tsunamis. For 5 years Nick was an integral member of the 6 piece band, touring with, and  co-writing some of the band’s most famous tunes. Nick appears on 2 of the band’s albums, Focus the Fury (2002) and Zombies vs. Robots! (2004)

In 2006 upon graduating from college, Nick assembled his first working quartet. From the beginning the band began working the CT jazz scene playing all over the state, including a residency in Newtown in the summer of 2006.

In 2008, after some personnel changes, Nick assembled a new line up. A group that has been working not only CT but NYC as well. Performing music written by Nick and standards from some of jazz’s greatest composers, the band has played hundreds of performances to a wide variety of audiences. Since then, Nick has been composing extensively and has since released 3 studio albums and other recordings.

The music of Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi group was very influential in the creative sound of this current group. Nick began composing in the style of the band, using electronic and avant garde influences in his writing and sound. The band released their first album in May 2011 entitled Between You & Me to positive reviews. The album features 6 original compositions with open, vamp based forms that include group improvisation and groove based music.

In 2012 Nick recorded his second studio release, The Beatnik, at Firehouse 12 Studios in New Haven. The album contains 9 original compositions that reflect Nick’s compositional influences. The album is half straight ahead, half electro-acoustic jazz. The quartet plays more of its vamp based music and includes some special guests. See the Discography section for more info on Nick’s releases.

In 2014, Nick recorded Time Circuit at Firehouse 12 Studios, his 3rd studio album since 2010. The album presents original compositions most influenced by the music of his childhood and formidable years including classic rock, funk and electronic music. The album features songs with additional keyboards and electronic effects including wah and delay pedals played through the trumpet.

Nick is also Director of the Outer Space Jazz Series, a local, weekly jazz showcase at the Outer Space club in Hamden, CT. Nick has worked with musicians of the highest caliber. In the 2012-2013 season Jeremy Pelt, Wayne Escoffery, Peter Bernstein,  and Jimmy Greene have performed at the series. Nick also directed the now annual O.S. Jazz Festival  which consists of bands from all over the state performing originally composed jazz.