Nigel was born in Rochester in Kent. The family moved to Clapham in south London when Nigel was a baby, so his childhood was spent in Clapham, before the family made another move to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk when he was eleven years old.

Nigel played in school bands from the age of eleven. Then in a cover band when he was eighteen called “Storm”. They played at social clubs and pubs and on the American airbases in Mildenhall and Lakenheath. Then with fellow band member Steven Vitale, in 1977 they formed “Kashmir”. In 1980 Kashmir were the first “Rock” band to play at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. They also recorded their first single “The Light” at Spaceward Studios in Cambridge. This was the first time Nigel had been in a professional recording studio. He enjoyed the atmosphere so much, he decided to learn the art of studio engineering.

Kashmir:

Nigel Heffer:
Lead Guitar and Vocals

Steven Vitale:
Bass Guitar and Vocals

David Salinas:
Drums

Pete Oxley:
Guitar and Vocals

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Vantage Point:

In 1981 Nigel composed music and played with “Vantage Point”. They also played at the Theatre Royal, which was becoming a major venue for bands in Bury. The band projected images on a large screen behind them. It was quite rare for bands to use video projection in the early 80′s.

 

 

Nigel Heffer:
Lead Guitar and Vocals

Mark Shaw:
Bass Guitar

Adam Palfry:
Drums

Matt Archer:
Guitar

Mike Stow:
Keyboards

 

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 The Lodge Recording Studio:

In the early eighties Nigel worked as a sound engineer and session musician at “The Lodge” owned by “The Enid”. The studio was first established in 1979 by Robert John Godfrey and Stephen Stewart. Situated in a large farmhouse in the Suffolk countryside, it soon became a favourite with some producers and one of the best known mid priced residential recording studios in the business with such famous artists as Kim Wilde, The Ruts, Katrina and the Waves, New Model Army, Mari Wilson, Marillion and Paradise Lost using it on a regular basis until 1988, when the owners closed it in order to concentrate on separate musical careers.

Downtown – Recorded at the lodge one afternoon.

Composed by Nigel Heffer:
Guitar and Vocals

Mike Saunders:
Drums

Danny Saunders:
Bass Guitar

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Next Step/Language Today:

Nigel also played guitar and sang with “Next Step”. They recorded their single “Room 101” composed by Nigel, at Stable Studio in Essex. They also staged a concert in aid of a ophthalmic laser for the West Suffolk Hospital. After a mix-up with a gig in Bury where lots of OAPs turned up thinking it was a ballroom dance evening, Next Step changed their name to Language Today.
From Left to Right

Sarah Parker:
Trumpet

Mike Saunders:
Drums

Mark Johnston:
Guitar and Keyboards

Mickey Studd:
Bass and Keyboards

Nigel Heffer:
Guitar and Vocals

Clive Harris:
Lead Vocals

Room 101: Single composed by Nigel.

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Production Music:

In 1988 Nigel was given the opportunity to compose production music for an awards ceremony in London. Nigel was then commissioned by Norwich production company, The Russell Organisation, to produce launch music for Volvo cars. Since then Nigel has composed music for other blue chip companies and major Pharmaceutical organisations including Novartis; the third largest Pharmaceutical plc in the World.

 

 

 

 

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Code Indigo:

In 2006 Nigel was asked by David Wright of Code Indigo, to play guitar at E-Live in Eindhoven. Nigel got on very well with the band and David asked Nigel to join Code Indigo as a permanent member in 2006.

Nigel Plays Lead and Rhythm guitar, Bass guitar and some keyboards on the In Concert Live CD from Code Indigo.

 

 

 

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