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Nathan Eklund

About Me

Nathan Eklund is quickly establishing himself as one of New York City's top jazz trumpeters. His meticulous attention to detail allows him to adapt to any musical situation, making him in high demand as a performer, composer, arranger, engineer, and teacher.

Nathan began his serious musical training at Central Washington University, where he studied classical trumpet performance under the direction of Thomas Gause, while performing with many classical and jazz ensembles. In 1998, Nathan moved to the New York City area to study jazz at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. He attained his Bachelor’s degree from WPU and his Master’s degree from New Jersey City University, while studying with NYC area professionals Dave Rogers, Scott Wendholt, Joe Magnarelli, Bud Burridge, Rich DeRosa, John Mosca, Paul Meyers, and Andy Eulau. He was selected to play lead trumpet in the 2005 New Jersey All-State Collegiate Big Band.

Professionally, Nathan leads two groups, the Nathan Eklund Group and the Nathan Eklund Quintet. Nathan's 4th and newest release with the NEG, Coin Flip, (OA2 22069) features Craig Yaremko (saxophones), Steve Myerson (fender rhodes), Kellen Harrison (bass, & Shawn Baltazor (drums). The Quintet album, Trip to the Casbah(2009), features Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), John Hart (guitar), Bill Moring (bass) and Tim Horner (drums). Nathan is involved in many additional musical projects including Richie Cole's Alto Madness Orchestra, Craig Yaremko's Sync, Mariel Berger's Obsidian Nonet, and Cecil's Big Band (West Orange, NJ). Nathan has performed with Joe Lovano, Claudio Roditi, Eddie Daniels, Don Friedman, Jack Walrath, Kermit Driscoll, Smoke Big Band, and has subbed on Broadway's The Little Mermaid & Dreamgirls. He recorded for Spyro Gyra's 2006 Grammy nominated album “Wrapped In A Dream”, and has performed on recordings for Richie Cole, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Craig Yaremko, Dave Noland, and Suede. Nathan performs regularly in the New York City clubs Birdland, The Blue Note, The Jazz Standard, Smalls, Smoke, Cornelia Street Café, B.B. King's, Louis 649, and La Lanterna.

Along with his accomplishments as a performer, Nathan has made a commitment to furthering the development of music through teaching. Since early 2001, Nathan has been a private trumpet instructor, teaching throughout New Jersey. He has worked as an adjunct faculty member at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ, taught at William Paterson University's summer jazz camp (2006-2008), and has given clinics at high schools nationwide.

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