Josh Nelson
Josh Nelson at Japan 2013
Josh Nelson at Japan 2013
Background information
Born (1978-08-01) August 1, 1978
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
Instrument(s)Piano, keyboards
Years active1998–present
LabelsSteel Bird, Native Language
Websitejoshnelsonmusic.com

Josh Nelson is an American jazz pianist and composer.[1][2]

Nelson produced his independent debut album First Stories at age 19. His second album, Anticipation, was released in 2004 with all his compositions. In 2007, Nelson signed with the jazz label Native Language Music and released his third album, Let It Go, with guests Seamus Blake, Sara Gazarek, and Anthony Wilson. His fourth album, I Hear a Rhapsody, was released in 2009 with Nelson's compositions, interpretations of standards, and reinventions of rock songs. In 2011, he released his fifth album, Discoveries, which was influenced by the writings of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Nikola Tesla.[3]

Nelson has worked with Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, and Sara Gazarek, for whom he was written songs and serves as musical director[2] He toured worldwide with vocalist Natalie Cole.[2][3] One of Gazarek's albums, for which Nelson composed various pieces, and which featured a band led by Nelson, reached number ten on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart.[2][3]

Nelson has been described by jazz critic Chuck Berg as a "brilliant young player whose virtuosity suggest the urbane yet bluesy tradition of Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris",[2] and by journalist and critic Josef Woodard as possessing "his own clean-burning modern mode of jazz".[4]

Discography

As leader

  • First Stories (Steel Bird Music, 1998)
  • Let It Go (Omagatoki, 2007)
  • I Hear a Rhapsody (Steel Bird Music, 2009)
  • Discoveries (Steel Bird Music, 2011)
  • Exploring Mars (Origin, 2015)
  • Duo Core (Port, 2015)
  • Dream in the Blue (Steel Bird Music, 2016)
  • The Sky Remains (Origin, 2017)
  • The Discovery Project (Steel Bird Music, 2020)

References

  1. ↑ Richardson, Jordan (25 September 2011). "Interview: Composer and Pianist Josh Nelson on Discoveries, Influences, and Hiking Spots". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Blankenship, Bill. "Nelson, Gazarek return for encore concert". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "About". Josh Nelson Official Website. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  4. ↑ Woodard, Josef. "Dena DeRose Sings at SOhO". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 4 December 2011.


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