Nick Semenykhin

“A talented guitarist and a terrific composer” – Rory Stuart
“Nick is a guitarist and composer of superb qualification. He plays with assurance, precision and lyricism” – Armen Donelian
“This group was one of the most compelling and professional groups with strong original compositions” – Reggie Workman, comments on Nick’s senior recital

Nick Semenykhin is an up-and-coming jazz guitarist, composer, and an educator who is starting to build his name among the scene of Montreal. He’s actively participating in the scene and performing with some of the finest musicians as well as leading his own groups.   Nick was born and raised in Ukraine. He intertwined his life with music early on by starting singing and playing classical piano when he was 4. At the age of 13, Nick started taking classical guitar lessons, switching to electric when he was 17. He moved to New York in 2015 after getting admitted to The New School and being a recipient receiving a full scholarship. Nick graduated from The New School with Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with honors in May 2019.  In New York, he has had the opportunity to be mentored by, and play with remarkable artists like Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein, Hal Galper, David Glasser, Victor Jones, Kim Clarke, Michel Donato, Adam Klipple, Ed Cherry, Jonathan Kreisberg, Aaron Goldberg, Buster Williams, Richard Boukas and others. 

He also had a chance to perform at some of the finest venues in NYC and in the US leading his own band or/and being a sideman: Minton’s Playhouse, Bar 55, Zinc Bar, Twins Jazz Club (Washington D.C.), Nighttown (Cleveland, OH), and many others. Nick has also performed with Hattie Simon’s Group at the Bern Jazz Festival in 2018.  Nick has released an EP entitled “Peacocks” in August 2019 and another EP called “Set Sail” with Solane Sancho featuring Michel Donato in February 2020. In 2021, Nick has moved to Montreal to continue his studies at McGill University. Since then, he had performed at Dièse Onze, Upstairs, T.U.J.F., Société Jazz de St. Henry and many other venues. He obtained his Master’s in Music degree in Spring 2023 and releasing his first solo album with OddMusic titled “Paradigm” in April 2024 with Bryn Roberts on piano, Ben Boardman on bass and Olivier Malette on drums.

Lineup: Bryn Roberts – piano
Ben Boardman – bass
Olivier Malette – drums