Nicolai Podgornov was born in Leningrad on 8th March 1950 into a music family. During 10 years he attended the Leningrad music school for very gifted children where, in addition to general subjects, he studied piano, singing, conducting and other music subjects. After his military service in a wind orchestra, he performed with different pop and rock groups as well as jazz orchestras as pianist, composer and conductor.

At the same time his projects included composing for theatre, film and TV (e.g. for Radio Liberty in New York).

Since 1991 he has worked and lived in Germany.