Nicolas Thys (b. 1968, Brussels, Belgium) studied at the Hilversum Conservatory, graduating in 1994. From 1999 to 2007 Thys lived in New York City, working with, among others, Toshiko Akiyoshi’s big band. Thys has studied with Dave Holland, Marc Johnson, and Marc Helias. He has worked with musicians and groups spanning a variety of styles, including Mal Waldron, Toots Thielemans, Judy Niemack, Mark Turner, Kenny Werner, Mike Stern Zap Mama, Lee Konitz, and Brazilian Girls. Besides his own album, Virgo, Thys has participated on six Pirouet albums as a sideman, including those of Bill Carrothers and Jason Seizer. He has received several awards, most notably the Golden Django award for best young talent in 2001.