music
Josh Nelson's very best original music.
View all of Josh’s releases, appearances, and credits here.
Lonely are the Brave
2024. Rounding out Josh’s spring trilogy of singles, “Lonely are the Brave” is a poignant composition set to be released April 26.
Featuring Josh Nelson (piano), Luca Alemanno (bass), and Dan Schnelle (drums)
Coming soon April 26
Our Bluewhale Dives Deep
2024. Josh spent hundreds of evenings performing at L.A.’s famed bluewhale, which operated in downtown’s Little Tokyo neighborhood for over a decade. Its closing in the first year of the pandemic left a musical ‘void’ in the jazz scene. This song is a bittersweet tribute to a venue which fostered the careers of so many artists.
Featuring Josh Nelson (piano), Luca Alemanno (bass), and Dan Schnelle (drums)
in the redwoods
2024. Josh’s latest single, "In the Redwoods," was born from his exploration of Henry Cowell State Park in Santa Cruz, California. Recorded in the Fall of 2023 at TriTone Studios in Glendale, California, this musical journey captures the essence of California's coastal redwoods. Released on Feb 23.
Featuring Josh Nelson (piano), Luca Alemanno (bass), and Dan Schnelle (drums)
live at sam first
2022. Josh’s project in collaboration with Sam First Records and ArtistShare. An incredible band performed live and recorded a very special tribute to Los Angeles, a city that has played an important role in Josh’s development as a person and artist. For fans of the 2017 project "The Sky Remains", this could be considered the 'sequel'.
Featuring Josh Nelson (piano), Larry Koonse (guitar), Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone), Luca Alemanno (bass), Dan Schnelle (drums), and special guest Gaby Moreno (vocals)
tomorrow is not promised
2021. “Tomorrow Is Not Promised” aims to convey a sense of uncertainty and mystery, but also a feeling of determination and resolve, as we all navigate unchartered waters during this “era of Covid.”
Featuring: Josh Nelson (piano), Bob Bowman (bass), Bob Sheppard (saxophone), Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Steve Houghton (drums), Larry Koonse (guitar)
the discovery project live in japan
2020. A compilation of Discovery Project songs, recorded live from the Kobe Modern Jazz Club in Japan. Released May 1. Listen today!
The Sky Remains
2017. The Sky Remains is Josh’s love letter to Los Angeles. The third in his Discovery Project series, it unearths hidden gems and little-known stories about the composer’s hometown. Features guitarist Anthony Wilson and vocalist Kathleen Grace.
Featuring: Josh Nelson (piano), Kathleen Grace (vocals), Lillian Sengpiehl (vocals), Anthony Wilson (guitar/co-producer), Chris Lawrence (trumpet/flugelhorn), Josh Johnson (alto sax/flute), Alex Boneham (bass), Dan Schnelle (drums), Aaron Serfaty (percussion), Larry Goldings (B3 organ)
Dream in the Blue
2016. Josh's long collaboration with vocalist Sara Gazarek has resulted in an intimate and beautiful duo project, featuring soulful cover tunes and new original music. Recorded and produced by the legendary Al Schmitt.
Exploring Mars
2015. Josh Nelson’s sixth recording as a leader, and second in the Discovery Project series, where he ambitiously explores themes on the red planet with a stellar band.
Featuring: Josh Nelson (piano, Nord Electro 3 HP, trumpet), John Daversa (trumpet and EVI), Larry Koonse (guitar), Dave Robaire (bass), Dan Schnelle (drums), Alan Ferber (trombone), Brian Walsh (bass clarinet), Kathleen Grace (vocals)
Discoveries
2011. Josh’s first album in The Discovery Project series, inspired by themes from science and science fiction. A musical look into the world of science fiction, early cinema, and inventors. Nostalgia meets modern on this inspired recording.
Featuring: Josh Nelson (piano), Dontae Winslow (trumpet/flugelhorn), Alan Ferber (trombone/arranger) Brian Walsh (bass clarinet), Larry Koonse (guitar), Dave Robaire (bass), Dan Schnelle (drums), Vanessa Robaire (vocals)
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I Hear a Rhapsody
2009. Josh's fourth album as a leader, strong statement of melodies, arrangements and virtuosic performances by a young all-star band.
Featuring: Josh Nelson (piano, Rhodes, background vocals), Ben Wendel (tenor sax/bassoon), Tom Catanzaro (tenor sax), Charles Altura (guitar), Hamilton Price, Sam Minaie (bass), Kevin Kanner, Zach Harmon (drums)
Digital Download
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let it go
2006. Josh’s exciting debut album on Native Language Music, featuring Seamus Blake, Anthony Wilson, Sara Gazarek, Darek Oles and Matt Wilson.
Featuring: Josh Nelson (piano, rhodes, B3 organ), Seamus Blake (tenor sax), Anthony Wilson (guitar), Darek Oles (bass), Matt Wilson (drums), Sara Gazarek (vocals on “Leaving Here”), Erik Kertes (co-producer)