[1] Raised in Hammerfest Municipality, she was taught music by her father, the accordion player Aksel Niska, and studied under the guidance of Kjell Bartholdsen, and ran the jazz club "Montenegro" (1979–89).

After moving southward in Norway in 1990, Niska collaborated within the trio "Girl Talk" from 1992, the other members being Tine Asmundsen (double bass) and Elizabeth Walker.

She formed the Bodil Niska Quartet, including Per Husby (piano), Stig Hvalryg (bass) and Roger Johansen (drums), at the Oslo Jazz Festival in 2005.

She is also known for her collaboration with Pete Brown Trio, including Scott Hamilton and Harry Allen.

For her work she received "Sildajazzprisen" in 2005 and the Oslo Jazz Festival award "Ella-prisen" in 2009.