LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
JAZZ PIANO MASTERS SERIES
Josh Nelson
“A first-call accompanist and collaborator for the vocal elite, and a conceptualist who's crafted smartly arranged musical love letters to everything from steampunk sci-fi to the City of Los Angeles as part of his ongoing Discovery Project, Nelson is a creative force to be reckoned with.” –Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz
$25 General Admission
We are offering a limited number of tickets to attend this performance in person. Advance purchase is recommended. Masking is encouraged but no longer required.
JOSH NELSON
Pianist, composer and recording artist Josh Nelson maintains an active and creative schedule. He has performed and recorded with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Natalie Cole, Anthony Wilson, George Mraz, Jeff Hamilton, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens, Eddie Daniels, Richard Galliano, Michael Buble, Benny Golson, Sheila Jordan, Greg Hutchinson, John Clayton, John Pizzarelli, and Lewis Nash.
Josh has performed around the world and contributed to numerous recordings, films and television shows. He made an impressive debut with his first two albums, Anticipation (2004) and Let it Go (2007, Native Language Music), both of which garnered international critical acclaim. Josh’s third album, I Hear a Rhapsody (2009), featured his original compositions, interpretations of standards, and the re-imagining of some popular repertoire. Discoveries (2011), introduced a pairing of classic science fiction film footage with new compositions for a brass and wind ensemble. Live performances of this music feature a video projection an immersive experience component as well, called The Discovery Project. Exploring Mars (2015) delved into musical themes about the Red Planet, augmented by spectacular NASA/JPL Martian video footage. Dream in the Blue (2016) featured 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 (this album was featured on NPR’s “Jazz Night in America”). A trio of live albums followed, The Discovery Project Live in Japan (2020), Live at blue whale | Volume 1 (2021), and LA Stories: Live at Sam First (2023).
Over the years Josh earned many awards, scholarships, and accolades including the Louis Armstrong Award and the John Philip Sousa Award. In 2006, Josh was one of the 12 semi-finalists in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Josh toured the world for six beautiful years with the legendary vocalist Natalie Cole. He continues to tour and arrange for artists Kenny Washington, Lorca Hart, Sinne Eeg, Gaby Moreno, Alicia Olatuja, Tom Scott, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Christian Howes. In June 2023 he performed with vocalist/songwriter Rufus Wainwright at Disney Hall and other west coast venues. JoshNelsonMusic.com