Nikki Malley

Instructor of Music

Contact 309-341-7265 nmalley@knox.edu

General Interests
"As a performer, I continue to experiment with new approaches to jazz improvisation. As a musicologist I continue to focus my research on the relationships between jazz and the political and social climates surrounding different periods in jazz history. As a director, I emphasize a broad knowledge of both classic jazz repertoire and new innovations in jazz composition."

Years at Knox: 2003 to present

Education
Ph.D., Music, 2012, University of Iowa.
M.A., Musicology, 2002, Washington University-St. Louis.
B.A., Music, 1998, Knox College.

Teaching interests
World music, Jazz history, music and film, pop music, music and diaspora.

Selected Professional Accomplishments

Presentations
"The History of Jazz." Carl Sandburg College Music History Class, Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, Illinois, 2007.

"Cool Jazz: Reaction to or Development of Be-Bop Style?" University of Iowa Graduate School of Music Pedagogy Workshop, Iowa City, Iowa, 2007.

Performances
Vibraphone performance: approximately 15 performances over the course of 2010, as both group
leader and as band member with numerous central Illinois professional jazz artists.

Featured soloist, WCBU radio, "Jazz From the Hilltop," 2010.

Featured soloist, Bradley University Music Scholarship Concert Series, "Classics to Jazz," with Dr. Edward Kaizer, 2010.

Vibraphone performance: approximately 25 performances over the course of 2009, as both group
leader and as band member with numerous central Illinois professional jazz artists.

Percussionist, Knox Galesburg Symphony and Galesburg Community Chorus (featured timpani soloist
December, 2009)

Director, Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival. Galesburg, Illinois.

Director, Bix Beiderbecke Youth Jazz Band, Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival. Davenport, Iowa.

Campus & Community Involvement
Member, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, percussion; Galesburg.
Member, Knox Cherry St. Combo, (jazz combo), Galesburg.
Member, The U. City Social Club (jazz trio), St. Louis, Missouri.
Member, The Defenestration Quartet, (jazz quartet), Galesburg.