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Josh Nelson
Josh has performed around the world and recorded for numerous albums, films, and TV shows, but also makes time for his own projects: "Anticipation" (2004) and "Let it Go" (2007, Native Language Music) both garnered international critical acclaim. Josh’s third album, "I Hear a Rhapsody" (2009), featured his original compositions, standard interpretations, and re-imagining of some popular repertoire. "Discoveries" (2011), introduced a pairing of classic science fiction ephemera with new compositions for a brass and wind ensemble (featuring a live ongoing video projection and art installation component as well, called The Discovery Project). "Exploring Mars"(2015) explored musical themes on the Red Planet, along with spectacular NASA/JPL Martian video footage. "Dream in the Blue" (2016) documented Josh in an intimate duo setting with his longtime collaborator, vocalist Sara Gazarek. "The Sky Remains" (2017) delved into musical stories and themes originating from his hometown of Los Angeles. "The Discovery Project Live in Japan" (2020) is a live trio album, and received wonderful reviews. His latest release will drop in September of 2021, "live at bluewhale | Volume 1", It's a sentimental tribute to an amazing venue in Los Angeles which was forced to closed during the pandemic.
Josh has earned many awards, scholarships and accolades over the years, some of which include the Louis Armstrong Award and the John Philip Sousa Award. In 2006, Josh was one of only twelve semi-finalists in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition.
Josh toured the world for 6 beautiful years with the legendary vocalist Natalie Cole. He continues to tour with artists Nicolas Bearde, Kenny Washington, Lorca Hart, Anton Schwartz, Allison Adams Tucker, Kathleen Grace, Gaby Moreno, Alicia Olatuja, Tom Scott, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Christian Howes.
Awards
Louis Armstrong Award, John Philip Sousa Award, numerous "Outstanding Soloist Awards" at music competitions from around the country. $10,000 Tom Talbert Scholarship. Josh has also been a member of many honor groups, including the SCSBOA Honor Jazz Band, the SCSBOA All- Stars, and the Grammy Band. Josh was one of only 12 semi-finalists in the prestigious International Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition which was held in Washington D.C. in 2006.
Gear
Yamaha S-400B, Nord (Clavia) Electro 2, 3
Tags
Lori Bell: Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson
![Read "Recorda Me - Remembering Joe Henderson" reviewed by Chris May](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/88a045ede906c61948e8afef0347b746.jpg)
by Chris May
The exceptional tenor saxophonist and composer Joe Henderson, who passed in 2001, recorded three premium-grade tribute albums: Lush Life: The Music Of Billy Stayhorn (1992), So Near, So Far (Musings For Miles) (1993) and Double Rainbow: The Music Of Antonio Carlos Jobim (1995), all on Verve. But in the decades since Henderson left us, tributes to him have been practically non-existent, not to mention unremarkable. San Diego-based flautist Lori Bell's sizzling Recorda Me: Remembering Joe Henderson is the first substantial ...
read moreJulie Kelly: Freedom Jazz Dance
![Read "Freedom Jazz Dance" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/5a27f83616e46c78936a98b2153cd255.jpg)
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Freedom Jazz Dance from Los Angeles singer, Julie Kelly offers an interesting array of selections that emanate from that musical road less traveled. And, as in life, sometimes that road yields nuggets of delight that would most likely never make it to the tried and true way." Peter Nero and Carroll Coates' New York on Sunday" opens things and is a lilting snap on 2 and 4 groove with Kelly joyously covering it and Josh Nelson slickly ...
read moreDoug MacDonald: Sextet Session
![Read "Sextet Session" reviewed by Jack Bowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/4ad076aa43038fce8794132417ea2249.jpg)
by Jack Bowers
Guitarist Doug MacDonald records albums like someone who is either making up for lost time or does not have much time to spare. According to his discography, Sextet Session is at least the thirty-second album MacDonald has led or co-led, almost half of which have been released in the past couple of years or so. To keep things fresh, MacDonald has performed with almost every size group from big band to duo, but not often with as sharp and experienced ...
read moreJudy Whitmore: Come Fly with Me
![Read "Come Fly with Me" reviewed by Jack Bowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/03986c9db3acf39818a0d5b7b7087971.jpg)
by Jack Bowers
When the multi-talented Judy Whitmore sings Come Fly with Me," it is an invitation that is almost impossible to resist, especially as the lovely and charming vocalist is also a pilot who is licensed to fly anything from jets to seaplanes to hot air balloons. On her latest album, backed by a big band and twenty-six member string section with arrangements by Hollywood top gun Chris Walden, Whitmore beckons listeners to fly with her to romantic places around the world ...
read moreAnn Hampton Callaway: Finding Beauty. Originals. Volume 1
![Read "Finding Beauty. Originals. Volume 1" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/569ce10f2f028ea55c7bc38a6be121f9.jpg)
by Richard J Salvucci
"This is my most personal record," Callaway says. Throughout my career, I've loved singing the great jazz classics and selections from the Great American Songbook, but I've always snuck my original songs on various projects. The pandemic made me think, 'I don't know if I'll live through this, but if I do, what's at the top of my bucket list?' And I realized that I wanted to tell my story and share the deepest part of me. What better way ...
read moreJun Iida: Evergreen
![Read "Jun Iida: Evergreen" reviewed by Gary Fukushima](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/83ba8aeae15456773968f9d0bb876910.jpg)
by Gary Fukushima
They are everywhere, dotting the undulating terrain of the great Pacific Northwest, from the winding, twisting shorelines of Puget Sound to the mountains that rise in the distance in every direction: the Olympics to the west, the Cascades to the east, Mt. Baker to the north and the majestic Rainier to the south. The trees are a constant, comforting blanket over this land, ever-present, ever-green. Jun lida has called this place home for the past three years, another ...
read moreJun Iida: Evergreen
![Read "Evergreen" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/83ba8aeae15456773968f9d0bb876910.jpg)
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Evergreen from trumpeter/flugelhornist Jun Iida is a textural panorama of multi-cultural jazz flavors, offering original and known fare. Each of the ten tracks is a portrait, and they display fine solo and ensemble playing. To describe Evergreen in one word is to call it intriguing." Gooey Butter Cake," one of six originals from Iida, opens things in a jovial, hippity-hop, jny: New Orleans-esque groove which develops into a trumpet-bass solo ride, with solos following from pianist Josh Nelson ...
read moreJazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
Pianist and composer Josh Nelson maintains an active and creative schedule. He has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Natalie Cole, Anthony Wilson, George Mraz, Jeff Hamilton, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens, Alicia Olatuja, Eddie Daniels, Ken Peplowski, Richard Galliano, Michael Buble, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan, Greg Hutchinson, John Clayton, Seamus Blake, Matt Wilson, Sara Gazarek, Dave Koz, Joe Chambers, Kurt Elling, John Pizzarelli, and Lewis ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
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Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
Pianist and composer Josh Nelson maintains an active and creative schedule. He has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Natalie Cole, Anthony Wilson, George Mraz, Jeff Hamilton, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens, Alicia Olatuja, Eddie Daniels, Ken Peplowski, Richard Galliano, Michael Buble, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan, Greg Hutchinson, John Clayton, Seamus Blake, Matt Wilson, Sara Gazarek, Dave Koz, Joe Chambers, Kurt Elling, John Pizzarelli, and Lewis ...
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Pianist And Composer Josh Nelson Releases 'Live At Bluewhale | Volume 1'
![Pianist And Composer Josh Nelson Releases 'Live At Bluewhale | Volume 1'](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/4694e03691d612540aeab01f68aba2bb.jpg)
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Josh Nelson
Highly acclaimed pianist and composer Josh Nelson’s latest release, Live at bluewhale, Volume 1 features recordings from his “Discovery Project” live shows, and a heartfelt tribute to Bluewhale jazz club in downtown Los Angeles, California. Live at bluewhale, Volume 1 is a compilation of sentimental and bittersweet recordings from Josh Nelson’s Discovery Project concerts originally performed at the Bluewhale jazz club, located in the heart of Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 2009 by Korean visionary and musician ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
“Josh is that rare young musician who has not only a wealth of study and experience under his belt (all but assuring him a prominent place in jazz music), but he also possesses those rarest of musical attributes: a touch, a tone, and a “sound” that are all identifiably his own.” — Peter Erskine, legendary drummer Born and raised in Southern California, pianist-composer-bandleader Josh Nelson has performed with some of the ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
“Josh is that rare young musician who has not only a wealth of study and experience under his belt (all but assuring him a prominent place in jazz music), but he also possesses those rarest of musical attributes: a touch, a tone, and a “sound” that are all identifiably his own.” — Peter Erskine, legendary drummer Born and raised in Southern California, pianist-composer-bandleader Josh Nelson has performed with some of the ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
“Josh is that rare young musician who has not only a wealth of study and experience under his belt (all but assuring him a prominent place in jazz music), but he also possesses those rarest of musical attributes: a touch, a tone, and a “sound” that are all identifiably his own.” — Peter Erskine, legendary drummer Born and raised in Southern California... Read more.
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
“Josh is that rare young musician who has not only a wealth of study and experience under his belt (all but assuring him a prominent place in jazz music), but he also possesses those rarest of musical attributes: a touch, a tone, and a “sound” that are all identifiably his own.” — Peter Erskine, legendary drummer Born and raised in Southern California... Read more.
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All About Jazz Top 10 MP3 Downloads: September 2017
![All About Jazz Top 10 MP3 Downloads: September 2017](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
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All About Jazz
All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the 30 tracks featured in September, these ten represent our personal favorites. We also included the top ten reader favorites as indicated by total downloads. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! EDITOR'S PICKS Bridges and Tunnels 6:08 Josh Nelson From: The Sky Remains The Group of 7 3:18
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Josh Nelson](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Josh Nelson's birthday today!
A native of Southern California, Josh Nelson maintains a busy schedule as a live jazz pianist, composer/arranger, educator, and recording artist. At 37 years old, he has made a strong impression on the jazz and songwriting scene on the West Coast. Josh has performed with some of the most respected names in music, including Natalie Cole, Ralph Moore, Lewis Nash, Richard Galliano, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Ben Williams... Read more.
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Acclaimed Pianist/Composer Josh Nelson’s "Discovery Project” Featured On NPR's Jazz Night In America, Airing Nationwide Beginning February 23
![Acclaimed Pianist/Composer Josh Nelson’s "Discovery Project” Featured On NPR's Jazz Night In America, Airing Nationwide Beginning February 23](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/d4092be3fbc967181943fa0124075b12.jpg)
Source:
Mouthpiece Music
Pianist Josh Nelson will be featured in NPR’s Jazz Night in America as they head to La La Land to get the real story of what it really takes to be a jazz musician in the City of Angels. Jazz Night in America is a nationally syndicated weekly radio show and a weekly concert video webcast from venues across the country produced by WBGO. The web site (which is part of the NPR site) is a hub for video features, ...
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“Wonders never cease here, as Nelson's imagination carries us to unexpected places and uncovers topics and stories hidden in the mists and mortar of Los Angeles... he paints subtle gestures, sophisticated thoughts, and broad strokes…the end result is a work that speaks to an arranger's mind, a songwriter's sensibility, and a historian's eye… It's more than enough to keep the mind and emotions busy and happy.” —All About Jazz
“An impressionistic musical look at facets of L.A., this will open your ears to a jazzy, L.A. you probably never considered.” – Midwest Record
Jazz Review January 2008 By Paul J. Youngman
Primary Instrument
Piano
Location
Los Angeles
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Contact me at [email protected] for more info!
Clinic/Workshop Information
Contact me at [email protected] for more info!
Cecilia Coleman
keyboardsChick Corea
pianoBill Cunliffe
pianoBill Evans
pianoLarry Goldings
organ, Hammond B3Herbie Hancock
pianoHank Jones
pianoKenny Kirkland
pianoMulgrew Miller
pianoMichel Petrucciani
pianoNancy Erickson Lamont
vocalsPhotos
Music
Inner Urge
From: Recorda Me - Remembering Joe...By Josh Nelson
Isotope
From: Recorda Me - Remembering Joe...By Josh Nelson
Gooey Butter Cake
From: EvergreenBy Josh Nelson
Sister Moon
From: SmileBy Josh Nelson
For What It's Worth
From: Social Anthems, Volume 1By Josh Nelson
Bridges and Tunnels
From: The Sky RemainsBy Josh Nelson
Small Hotel
From: In2uitionBy Josh Nelson
Tango Doblado (Bent Tango)
From: Southern ExposureBy Josh Nelson
Bhutto Song
From: I Hear a RhapsodyBy Josh Nelson
Dirigibles
From: DiscoveriesBy Josh Nelson