I'm a musician/composer/singer-songwriter in Brooklyn, NY.
Kevin Batchelor, Sidney Mills and me. Working on the NYC Ska Orchestra album!
“Looking for a way into The Present? Nick Balaban has his finger on it. He pretends to be showing us HIS world but it’s really OURS, isn’t it? ‘Got to be scared / if you want to be brave.’: no bard ever put it better. Listen!”
“Somewhere between Frank Zappa and Mose Allison their lives a world where Nick Balaban is king. A benevolent and profound entertainer who leaves his subjects in stitches all while grooving...and the record sounds amazing over my speakers!”
“Such a great record!!!!!!”
Recent Albums On Which I Appear:
My woodwind quintet tribute to Saltaire, NY in six movements. The first five feature Imani Winds, the last features The Wildebeest Wind Quintet with Rob Garcia on drums. Then comes the soundtrack to Marjory and Robert Potts’ documentary, “Their Lives in Art: Robert Henry & Selina Trieff.” Much of it based on the music of the fifth movement of the Suite Saltaire, “Stars,” it features a jazz trio: Nick Balaban, pisno; Jim Whitney, bass; Larry Eagle, drums. Click on the picture above for a link to homemade cd’s and downloads!
Out May 1st, 2026! Very excited about my first record with The Lucky Otters! Kevin Batchelor, J. Walter Hawkes, J Granelli, Diego Voglino and special guests Moses Patrou and Michael Aarons! Great, fun art by Buford O’Sullivan! Click on the album cover for a link to buy neon green vinyl, cd’s, or downloads!
Finally!! Hello, Cruel World! is streaming on all major platforms! (I know that doesn’t sound right...but you know what I mean — it’s on the internets!) Click on Annalivia’s vinyl cover for downloads, cd’s, and vinyl.
Classy by The Candy Asses! Streaming everywhere starting Valentine’s Day 2/14, 2022! Click on the picture for downloads…
Click ^ to check it out!
"(Touque) sounds like those ultra-veteran players who've done so much and played so much that they don't care what anyone thinks anymore and just go wild." -- Brent Butterworth, contributing writer, Wirecutter & JazzTimes
Click ^ to check it out!
What's my next live in-public appearance?
Wednesday, 7/15, 7:00pm. The Lucky Otters play on the sidewalk in front of Open Source Gallery in Park Slope. Free! Details HERE.
See you there!
Dan Fusco, D.M.C. & Me!
With the greats — Tarrus Riley and Derrick Barnett!
With Rho & The Nomads at The Brooklyn Bowl
Jake Charkey and Joanna Mattrey recording as a string quartet with Skye Steele and Christina Courtin (off camera) on the new record…
With my ridiculously talented buddy, J. Walter Hawkes!
Sitting in with Glen Andrews and All That!
Scenes from the Blue’s Clues and You movie premiere!
Click here for the big braggy list of folks I've been fortunate enough to work with.
The Lucky Otters at Pete’s Candy Store
With the NYC Ska Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Summer Stage! (Fabulous photo by Claudio Musajo!)
Jim Whitney, Jack Devine, Rob Garcia, Me, Sam Palumbo, and David Freeman — Main Trackers, Session #2, the New Record at Dubway Studios!
The spellbinding sitar play of Abhik Mukherjee! Recording on my upcoming album…
The Great Otis Day!
With Davis Rogan!
Capitol Tour…
Touque! Live at Otto’s Shrunken Head
My Beloved Monthly gig at the now closed Caffé Vivaldi. 😢