A native of Southern California, Josh Nelson maintains a busy schedule
as a jazz pianist, composer, and recording artist. At 33 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, Christian McBride,
Anthony Wilson, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Ernie Watts, Tom Scott, Alex
Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, Seamus Blake, Matt Wlson, Jack Sheldon,
Peter Erskine, Bob Hurst, Queen Latifah, and Sara Gazarek to name a
few.
Josh produced his independent debut album at age 19 (First Stories,
1998). Music critic Mac Macdonald described the album as “solid and
confident musicianship, with an innate sense of swing and rhythm.” With
Anticipation (2004), Josh continued to focus on his original music. In
2007, Josh signed with the jazz label Native Language Music. The
critically acclaimed album Let it Go (2007) was the result of that
collaboration, and it featured an all-star lineup. His fourth record, I Hear
a Rhapsody (2009), displayed Josh’s strong original voice, daring
standard interpretations, and reinventions of rock tunes. His latest effort,
Discoveries (2011), continues to debut his original writing, this time
featuring a larger guitar/brass/wind section.
Josh received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Long Beach
State University. While there he was privileged to study with veteran
jazz pianist Cecilia Coleman, as well as with icons Buddy Collette and
John Prince. While in high school, Josh also attended summer jazz
camps through the Berklee College of Music, studying with Neil
Olmstead, Tiger Okoshi, and Kim Steiner. Other mentors include Bill
Cunliffe, Alan Pasqua, Putter Smith, and Benny Green. Josh is the
recipient of countless honors, awards, and scholarships. In his high
school years, he received the Louis Armstrong Award, the John Phillip
Sousa Award, as well as numerous “Outstanding Soloist Awards” at
music competitions from around the country. Josh received the $10,000
Tom Talbert Scholarship in 2004. Josh has also been a member of
many honor groups, including the SCSBOA Honor Jazz Band, the
SCSBOA All-Stars, and the Grammy Band. More recently, he was a
semi-finalist in the prestigious International Thelonious Monk
International Jazz Piano Competition which was held in Washington D.C.
in 2006.
In addition to his ongoing career pursuits, Josh stays busy in other
areas of music as well. He has been touring worldwide with legendary
jazz vocalist Natalie Cole for the past two years. Josh also served as
Musical Director for jazz vocal sensation Sara Gazarek, and toured the
U.S., Japan, and Canada with her. Josh’s compositions for Sara have
garnered him international acclaim, with Sara’s album reaching number
10 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. He has toured Taiwan twice performing
and arranging film scores with the Hollywood Pops Orchestra and the
Ars Nova Chamber Ensemble. He has performed with film composer
Michael Kamen, Monty Python co-founder Eric Idle, and actors Jon
Lovitz, and Clint Eastwood. Original compositions of his have appeared
on the television shows “The Division” (Lifetime), “Lucky” (FX), “Jack
and Bobby” (WB), and he has also scored a number of shorts and
documentary films over the past 5 years. His time is also devoted to
maintaining a private studio of jazz students and teaching as Adjunct
Faculty (Jazz Studies) at Soka University.
Josh keeps a busy performance and recording schedule in Southern
California and around the U.S. He performs regularly with his own Trio
and Quintet, the Sara Gazarek Band, the Jack Sheldon California Cool
Quartet and Big Band, the Jennifer Leitham Trio, and various
instrumentalists and vocalists who come through Los Angeles on tour.
With his own modern original music, Josh is always looking towards the
next project. He draws from a wealth of experience and influences
(including Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, and Keith Jarrett), but is always
cautious to keep one foot firmly planted in the classic jazz tradition.
Quoting drummer Peter Erskine said: “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.”
