Josh Nelson

A native of Southern California, Josh maintains a busy schedule as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and recording artist. At 30 years old, he has established himself as a strong voice on the local and international jazz scene. Josh has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz, including Natalie Cole, Ralph Moore, Christian McBride, Anthony Wilson, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Ernie Watts, Tom Scott, Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, Seamus Blake, Matt Wilson, Jack Sheldon, Peter Erskine, Bob Hurst, Queen Latifah, Sara Gazarek, and Erin Bode.

Josh received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Long Beach State University. 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.

In addition to his jazz-related endeavors, Josh continues to pursue his interest in other areas of music. 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. Compositions and performances of his regularly appear on the television show "The Division" (Lifetime), "Lucky" (FX), "Jack and Bobby" (WB), and the Forrest Whittaker movie "First Daughter" (Paramount). Josh is a strong advocate for music education, and spends a good deal of his time maintaining a private studio of jazz students, as well as teaching for Soka University of America as Adjunct Jazz Faculty.

With his own music, Josh is always looking to the next project. He draws from a wealth of experience and influences while keeping one foot in the jazz tradition and the other in a modern forward-thinking approach.