Stephanie Nilles is an American folk, jazz, and blues singer and pianist who was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1985. She is famous for her 2021 recording of the music of Charles Mingus and for her work as a composer and performer for radio drama. Nilles received a classical education at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. She achieved early professional recognition in 2008 after releasing her debut solo studio recording reDemo on her own label, Sudden Infant Death Hut Records. Her discography includes the studio recordings Fuck Off, Grizzly Bear (2011), Murder Ballads (2015), and I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag – the White Flag (2021). The latter recording received awards from The New York City Jazz Record for Album of the Year and Solo Recording of the Year. She also composed and performed the score for the radio drama Jenseits von Eden, which was awarded the 2022 German Audiobook Prize. Nilles has performed internationally at events including the Stimmen Festival and the Calgary Folk Festival and has collaborated with the musician Bobby McFerrin.
