Born 1964 in Aarhus, Denmark.

Niels Ryde started playing bass at the age of 13 in elementary school, studied classical bass at the age of 16, and at the age of 18 he played as a professional bassist in many different groups, both as an electric bassist and a double bassist. From the mid-80’s he became known as a virtuoso and impressive bassist on the international music scene. Niels has over 40 years of experience as a teacher of electric bass, double bass, ensemble playing, piano, ear training, composition, workshops, and clinics both at home and abroad.

CURRENTLY WORKING WITH:
As a leader, composer:
“Deep Song”
“Niels Ryde Transition Trio”
“Niels Ryde Transition Quartet”.
As a bassist and co-leader:
“Jan Kaspersen 5”
“Trio Uprise”
“Lategreen Trio” Feat: Nana Schwartzlose: vokal 
“Benoit Birlouit(F) Quartet”
“Peter Pedersen Trio”
“Søren Lee / Niels Ryde Trio”
“AKS” (everybody can sing) projects in Denmark.
“Leonard Cohen Tribute Band”.

“Niels Ryde is a wonderful composer and bass player. I find his compositions so much fun to play on. I think his writing is unique, melodic, and very interesting harmonically. He is also a great bassist, by his fantastic soloing and great rhythmic support.” Lew Soloff (NYC).

”Niels Ryde is not just an innovative and sensitive modern player. He is also a marvelous and unique composer. With brains and heart to spare, Niels takes full advantage of the color palate—taking us on fantastic new journeys which still follow the trajectory of tradition. He is a very special player.” –  Kurt Elling, vocalist & Blue Note Artist.

 ”Niels Ryde is an excellent bass player with solid time and technique.
He has performed all headliner shows, production shows, big band sets and jazz sets at and above Orchestra musician standard. Niels easily navigates through genres demanded of him, such as Jazz, Tango, Rumba, Swing, Smooth Jazz, Funk, Latin, Pop, Rock, Big Band etc.
Niels has a firm understanding of his role in providing high quality performance to the band at all times and is a great team player and solist, who makes the band sound great.
Niels often demonstrates his passion and his own touch to the songs he performs with the Orchestra on a daily basis.” Lubo Hajossy MD. Musical Director, Royal Caribbean Cruises, 2017.

“SMILE with Niels Ryde Transition Trio is one of the best jazz releases in 2024 in Denmark”. Ulrik Fakman, Jazz Blogger.

“Niels Ryde was honored as the year’s best jazz musician on Fynen 2015“

“Niels Ryde is one of the best jazz bassist in our time” – Jazz Special.

“Among the leading jazz musicians in Europe.” –  Daily Mirror.

“Gehort zu den virtuosesten Bassisten Europas” – Swiss Jazz Magazine.

“One of Danish jazz most original talents ” – Boris Rabinowitz, Politiken.

“A sensational bassist” – Jens Jørgen Gedsted / Jazz Special.

COLLABORATIONS AND TOURS:
With international and Danish musicians including:Ben Monder(US), Lew Soloff(US), Wolfgang Muthspiel(AU), Bill McHenry(US), Deodato Siqire(Mozambique), Jan Kaspersen(DK), Thomas Clausen(DK), Siggi Flossason (IS), Krister Jönsson(SE), Jørgen Emborg(DK),Frederik Lundin(SE), Bjarne Roupé(SE), Jacob Broholm(DK), Jacob Melchior(DK), Morten Hæsum(DK), William Larsson(SE), Orazio Maugeri (IT), Butch Lacy(US), Doug Raney(US), Klaus Menzer(DK), Mikkel Nordsø(DK), Søren Bebe(DK), Anders Mogensen(DK), Niels Vincentz(DK), Simon Spang Hansen(DK), Basiru Suso(ML), Heine Hansen(DK), James Loveless Funk Band (US/DK), Amancio De Silva/Matt Lester Quintet (GB), Jorgen Hulke/Wolker Sloth Quartet (GDR), Jacob Hug/Samuel Zing(CH). Pierre Dørge & (New Jungle Orchestra), John Tchicai(US/DK), Uffe Steen Jensen(DK), Mads LaCour(DK), Morten Grønvad(DK), Kasper Tranberg(DK), Sko/Torp, Peter Bellie(DK), Dale Smith Blues Band, Marc Bernstein(US), Jacob Dinesen(DK), Jacob Anderskov(DK), Carsten Dahl(DK), Thor Madsen(DK), Jesper Løvdal(DK), Christoffer Sten Møller(DK), Thomas Frank(DK), Liza Freemann(US), Mads Haaber(DK) and others.

INTERNATIONAL TOURS:
USA, Caribbean, Brazil, Morocco, England, Scotland, Iceland, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, The Baltic Countries and Scandinavia.

EDUCATION:
1998, 2000, 2006, 2021 Summer Sessions, Denmark.
1985 Studied with Niels Henning Ørsted Petersen, jazz bass
1981 – 1983 Jutland Academic Symphony Orchestra in Aarhus (classical double bass)
1980 – 1984 Studied privately with Jacob Westberg, classical double bass
1978 – 1980 Aarhus Music School

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2020 FOF Copenhagen, bass and jazz ensemble
2018 Albertslund Music School, bass and ensemble
2016 – 2024 The International College in Helsingør, band Playing
2014 Tårnby Music School (temporary position 3 months) piano
2010 – 2017 The Funen Conservatory (temporary position), bass and ensemble
2010 – 2016 The Funen Talent School, bass and ensemble
2010 – 2016 The Jutland Conservatory of Music. Bass and ensemble
2010 – 2015 Odense Music School.bass and ensemble
2010 – 2014 Workshops in Hamburg: Hochschüle für Musik, bass workshop
2000 – 2025 Workshops at conservatory in Esbjerg, Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen
2009 – 2015 Båring Music Secondary School, bass major
1997 – 2012 Ollerup Secondary School Singing and Music, bass major
2000 – 2010 Rhythmic Evening School FORA 1748, major and jazz ensemble
2008 – 2025 Guest teacher at MGK in Odense, Aarhus, Rhythmic College and Vallekilde College’s jazz line
2003 – 2008 Ryslinge College, ensemble
1999 – 2004 SAGA in Odense, bass, major
1998 – 1996 Den Frie Lærerskole, bass, major
1999 Den Rytmiske Højskole in Vig, bass and ensemble
1990 – 1996 Byhøjskolen in Århus, ensemble and bass major
1988 – 1995 Århus Music School, major bass & ensemble
1988 Jazz department in Bern (CH), bass workshops

CURRENT TEACHING:
Albertslund Music School (bass, ensemble)
FOF (bass, jazz combo)
Private (bass, piano)
Workshops, masterclasses

RELEASES AS LEADER & COMPOSER:
2025 ”NIELS RYDE DEEP SONGS”
Feat: Deodato Siquir (Mozambique) drums, vocal. Mads Nørgaard, guitar. Niels Ryde, electric bass, compositions. Simon Spang Hanssen, sop,ten,sax, flute.
2024 ”SMILE” : NIELS RYDE TRANSITION TRIO
Feat: Jacob Broholm, piano, keyboards. Jacob Melchior, drums. Niels Ryde, electric bass, compositions.
2015 ”RIOT” : LATEGREEN 
Feat: Jacob Broholm, piano, keyboards, Niels Ryde, electric bass, Nikolaj Bundvig, drums.
2010 ”EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE”
Feat: Anders Mogensen, drums. Hanne Hammer, vocals. Jacob Broholm, keys, piano. Mads La Cour, tip. Niels Ryde, bass, effects. Peter Hellesøe, sax. Rasmus, bass clarinet.
2008 ”PLAYSONGS”, VALENTINE QUARTET
Feat: Jacob Broholm, piano. Hanne Hammer, vocal. Niels Ryde, bass. Nikolaj Bundvig, drums. Svend Hulthin, guitar.
2006 ”POCKET MUSIC” NEILS RYDE QUARTET FEAT: LEW SOLOFF (US) tp.
Feat: Anders Mogensen, drums. Jakob Anderskov, piano. Niels Ryde, bass. Niels Vincentz, sax.
2005 ”EVERYTHING I LOVE”, NIELS RYDE GROUP FEAT: WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL(AU)
Feat: Anders Mogensen, drums. Jesper Løvdal, sax. Niels Ryde, bass.
2003 ”MODERN SHAPES” NIELS RYDE QUARTET
Feat: Niels Ryde, bass, Niels Vincentz,sax, Anders Mogensen,drums, Christoffer Steen Møller, piano/keys.
1996 ”CLEANSHAVE” NIELS RYDE 6 TET
Feat: Carsten Dahl, piano. Kasper Tranberg, tp. Martin Andersen, drums. Niels Ryde, bass. Niels Vincentz, sax. Thor Madsen, guitar.
1993 ”AS OF NOW”, NIELS RYDE 7TET
Feat: Jens Balder, trombone. Jesper Bo Knudsen, drums. Kristian Lund, piano, keyboards. Morten Elbæk, alt, sax. Niels Ryde, bass. Niels Vincentz, sax. Steen Raahauge, perc.
1990 ”TRAFFIC JAM” NIELS RYDE 7 TET FEAT JOHN TCHICAI: SAX, UFFE STEEN, GUITAR
Feat: Claus Raahauge, perc. Jesper Bo Knudsen, drums. Johannes Grønager, bariton sax. Kæv Gliemann, piano, keyboards. Morten Elbæk, alto, sax. Niels Ryde, bass.

AS A SIDEMAN: SELECTED TITLES
2014 Søren Bebe Trio : ”A Song For You” (released in Japan on Spice Of Life.)
2010 Søren Bebe Trio : ”From Out Here”
2012 Flavio Pantjoka : ”Flavio Pantjoka in Denmark.”
2009 Basiru Suso : ”The World Alive”
2008 Søren Bebe Trio: ”Rytme Is It”,
2016 Captain Crawfish & the Jumping Zydeco: ”The Loving Way”
2017 ”Sko & Torp” : The Best Off : A Glorius Day
2000 ”Alfabetet på Tapetet” : feat Peter Belli og Søs Fenger
1996 Sko & Torp : ”A Perfect Day”
1996 ”Magic Music ensemble” feat : John Tchicai
1988 ”Swis Dan Shout” Live in Swiss Radio
1984 Mikael Zacho Trio – ”Mikael Zaco Trio”