Steve Nelson (vibraphonist)

Steve Nelson
Born (1954-08-11) August 11, 1954 (age 70)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Vibraphone, marimba
LabelsRed, HighNote, Sunnyside, Criss Cross

Steve Nelson (born August 11, 1954) is an American jazz vibraphonist and marimba player. In addition to his solo work, Nelson is known for collaborating since the 1990s with bassist Dave Holland's Quintet and Big Band.

Nelson graduated from Rutgers University with both master's and bachelor's degrees in music, and his teaching activities have included positions at Princeton University,Montclair State University, as well as William Paterson University.[1] He has appeared at concerts and festivals worldwide and has made recordings as the leader of his own group. He has performed and recorded with Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Mulgrew Miller, David "Fathead" Newman, Johnny Griffin, and Jackie McLean.

In 2023, he appeared in Nathan Siegelaub and Ania Gruszczyńska's short documentary film Sparni, which was produced for the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and followed one of his students from Montclair, young aspiring vibraphonist Pierce "Sparni" Sparnroft. Some scenes in the film depict Nelson instructing Sparni while on campus.[2][3]

  1. ^ Dave Holland.com Archived 1999-02-04 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Sparni - DocFest '23". Columbia Journalism School. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  3. ^ Lehren, Marilyn Joyce (14 February 2024). "Documentary Spotlights Promising Montclair State University Vibraphonist". Montclair State University. Retrieved 25 March 2024.