A LITTLE BIT ABOUT NIKO.

Niko Kat (born August 27, 1995) is a greek jazz drummer and arranger. He is the leader of the Niko Kat Trio and is also involved in Dennis Pol Quartet, The Royal Croquettes and other side projects. His style incorporates elements of swing, bebop and hardbop.

Niko was born in Amarousio, Greece and raised in Megara, Greece. He started to play drums at the age of 12. His father was a big fan of rock music and made him listen to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Niko's interest in drums increased in 2010 when he got a summer scholarship at Art Music School Fakanas by his drum teacher Tolis Arsenidis.

He started to become a jazz lover after hearing Art Blakey's album Moanin. His life changed after having drum lessons with Spyros Panagiotopoulos. In 2019 he enrolled at the prestigious Royal Conservatory of The Hague where he is studing BFA in performing arts. He cites Buddy Rich, Jimmy Cobb, Ed Thigpen and Philly Joe Jones as having the biggest impact on his music.

In 2012, Niko was the Third Place Award Winner at the "Days of Percussion 2012 Competitions" in Greece.

Niko released his debut album in September 2022, Niko’s Dream (GSR 2022) with Rob van Bavel on piano and Matheus Nicolaiewsky on double bass.