guitarist | composer | adventurer | skeptic | tree-hugger

Paco de Lucia meets Cafe Del Mar

“Nir makes a brave move to establish himself as a leading guitar performer and composer”

(American Fingerstyle Journal)

Nir Hermelin, A.K.A “Nir&” is a mesmerizing nylon string guitar player. His original compositions and unique style are a daring combination of virtuoso finger-style guitar along with influences from ambient, Bossa Nova, African, electronic and Classical music. His “Sit-Down-Journeys” are at times uplifting and joyous, at other times sad and melancholic: but always inspiring & breathtaking .

Nir’s performing style is specifically communicative for Instrumental music. In his shows, the audience experiences  constant, vivid interaction with the performer: they are given airplane blindfolds, encouraged to enhance their hearing and listen with their eyes shut. In some shows Nir gives a short “TED-like” talk called “How to listen to Guitar Music like a Guitarist”, daring the listeners to focus their mind on key elements of the instrument.

Nir started performing back in 2011. That year, he was a finalist at the renowned Cape Town Guitar Festival and since remained active and true to his unique way. Nir& was recently featured in the “American Finger-style Journal” Magazine.

Turning down a scholarship from the famous Berklee school of music, Nir originally chose a different career. But following his time at the acclaimed London Business School, along with strategy consulting, he later discovered he can no longer carry on without his true passion. Or, to put it in his words: “An Engineering degree, a Business Master’s… I’ve worked in start-ups, non-profits, corporates… but I felt what I really wanted is to focus on the music. And so I’ve left the corporate life, to start anew…”

One of his true ambitions is to revive the popularity of the classical guitar, making it relevant to the here & now: “It’s more than just a classical instrument. If my music inspires one kid to start nylon-string guitar, it will make my day.”

“Interspersed, beautifully integrated style & rhythm(…) I left the concert hall feeling wonderfully giddy”

Gili Karev, Esra Magazine

The listener’s perspective:

“Nir’s music excites me in all kind of different ways. Sometimes it makes me smile, sometimes it makes me cry, sometimes it gives me goosebumps, and sometimes it takes me to daydreaming about better places.”

“I went back in my mind to times when I traveled, saw nature and new sights that connected me to a new wondering”.

“I have tears in my eyes. Nir’s music is full of heart… Reminds me of a breathtaking mountain view… Reminds me of passionate sex.”