Nickelsen was born in
Oslo, and became well known in Norway when he was awarded the Young jazz musician of the year award at
Moldejazz in 2002, within the band Solid!. In Oslo he played in a trio with
Pål Thowsen and
Jon Eberson releasing the album (2002).After this he attended the jazz program at
Trondheim Musikkonservatorium, joined the
Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and recorded with
Pat Metheny. He then studied at the
Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, IACP in
Paris and got his church music education in Trondheim. Moreover, he collaborated in the band Jupiter with
Håvard Stubø and
Magnus Forsberg who released several albums. In Peloton he played with the guitarist
Petter Vågan, the drummer
Erik Nylander, saxophonist
Hallvard Godal and trumpeter
Karl Strømme. He also was smaller ensembles led by Jacob Holm and
Mats Thorsen. He moved to
Copenhagen (2004) for studies at the Rhythm Conservatory, where he led the
Nickelsen Trio with drummer
Ari Hoenig and guitarist
Lage Lund at the time. He also figures on the
New York City music scene, and recently played in the trio
Excess Luggage with pianist
Vigleik Storaas and drummer
Håkon Mjåset Johansen releasing the album
Excess Luggage (2007) and
Hand Luggage Only (2011), as well as in a trio with the guitarist
Nils-Olav Johansen and drummer
Truls Rønning. Nickelsen now resides in
Shanghai. == Discography ==