Niko Schlenker

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Niko Schlenker

Nikolaus "Niko" Schlenker (* 1960 in Stendal , Magdeburg district , GDR ) is a German composer and pianist . He is active in the gospel scene , leads gospel workshops, projects and choirs, arranges and produces.

Life

The son of the church musician couple Ursula and Manfred Schlenker learned to play the violin and piano at an early age. As a youth he was a member of church bands and played several church tours across Germany. In Greifswald he studied church music after school and then piano with Manfred Schmitz at the Weimar Music Academy Franz Liszt . In 1987 he moved to Freiburg and worked as an instrumental teacher.

There he started working as a choir director. From 1990 he toured French piano bars as a pianist. He accompanied the "USA Mass Choir" on the Hammond organ and played with, among others, Deborah Woodson and Mick Hucknall , the singer of the Simply Red group . He gained further inspiration in African bands. Schlenker has lived near Cologne since 1996 and has successfully devoted himself to gospel music as an arranger, choir director and workshop leader . He is particularly oriented towards the new American gospel scene. He was musical director of the well-known "Living Gospel Choir" (CD Tell The World ) and was keyboardist at the world premiere of the musical Oh Happy Day . In 2006 he founded the “New Song Gospel Singers” , the choirs “Joy of Gospel” and “River of Joy”.

With his vocal quartet "Niko Schlenker & The Angels" he recorded the albums Reasons and New Day - New Song, which were released by ZebeMusic . In 2011 he recorded the live album Greater than anything with artists such as Chris Lass, Yasmina Hunzinger and James Smith.

In 2016 he released his fourth album LIFE IN 4D, which was released on December 6, 2016. It includes 11 new gospel songs penned by Niko Schlenker with singers such as David B. Whitley, Dorrey Lin Lyles, Lisamay Lesch, Régine Nguetseng and Honoré Haase.

At the end of September 2018, Schlenker released his fifth album, Be Encouraged . 12 great songs from the Schlenker gospel forge - wonderful, varied songs that inspire, touch and invite you to imitate. Catchy melodies, deep ballads and great up-tempo numbers can be found on Be Encouraged . A clear recommendation for all music lovers and choirs throughout Germany and beyond. Songs that get under your skin and invite you to dance. Soloists like Dorrey Lin Lyles, Lisamay Lesch, Ingrid Arthur, Marlin Monroe Williford and many more make this record something very special!

For many years Niko Schlenker has been leading gospel workshops with heart and soul throughout Germany and beyond. Especially inspired by his Christian faith and his penchant for black music and soul, he is considered one of the most creative and productive gospel composers in Germany.

Works

  • Gospel chorals (co-author, 2006)
  • Reasons (Collection, 2008)
  • New Day - New Song (Collection, 2010)
  • Greater Than Anything (Collection, 2010)
  • Sing hallelujah! (A cappella collection, 2011)
  • Life in 4D (Collection, 2011)
  • Be Encouraged (Collection 2019)

Discography

  • It Will Be Done - LivinGospel (Album, 2000)
  • Tell The World - LivinGospel (Album, 2002)
  • Christ Is Born - LivinGospel (Album, 2006)
  • Reasons - Niko Schlenker & The Angels (Album, 2008)
  • New Day - New Song - Niko Schlenker & The Angels (Album, 2010)
  • Greater Than Anything - Niko Schlenker (Live Album, 2012)
  • Back 2 D Roots - Buki Domingos (Album, 2013)
  • LIFE IN 4D - Niko Schlenker (Album, 2016)
  • BE ENCOURAGED - Niko Schlenker (Album, 2018)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Schlenker, Niko
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Schlenker, Nikolaus (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German composer
DATE OF BIRTH 1960
PLACE OF BIRTH Stendal , Magdeburg district , GDR