Steve Nelson Jazz Show

Steve Nelson – vibraphone
with
Matthew Fries – piano
Carlo De Rosa – bass
Keith Hall – drums

Steve Nelson is described as “the most completely realized and original performer on the vibraphone.”

Over a five-decade career, Nelson has distinguished himself by making consequential contributions to the improvisatory development of his instrument, as well as the tradition of jazz. By the early ’70s he was performing regularly and honed his skills alongside local Pittsburgh luminaries as drummers Roger Humphries and J.C. Moses, trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, saxophonists Eric Kloss and Nathan Davis. He completed his Master’s at Rutgers University’s Jazz Studies program helmed by Kenny Barron, music education pioneers bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Ted Dunbar. Steve’s debut recording was James Spaulding Plays the Legacy of Duke Ellington, and throughout the early ’80s he worked with Kenny Barron, David “Fathead” Newman, Bobby Watson, and was featured in the George Shearing big band. Steve has been the instrumentalist of choice for the most iconic jazz artists as Kenny Barron, Jackie McLean, Lewis Nash, James Williams, Curtis Lundy, and Mulgrew Miller (Wingspan Sextet) and Dave Holland (Dave Holland Quintet and Big Band) with whom he has shared decades long collaborations through composing, performing and touring. Steve continues to tour and record with Donald Brown, Renee Rosnes, Geoffrey Keezer and Jeremy Pelt, among others.

Recognized for his inventive and fluidly harmonic approach and chromatic quality, Steve is acknowledged as one of the pre-eminent modernist vibraphone and marimba players. He has appeared on numerous recordings and performed at concert venues and festivals worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at the Lincoln Center, JVC Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Netherlands International Jazz Festival, Village Vanguard, and festivals across Asia and Australia. He has over a dozen original recordings as a bandleader, and has lent a distinct compositional signature to several albums of legendary bandleaders.

In 2025, Nelson was nominated for a Grammy Award as part of the Kenny Barron Quintet, further cementing his status as a leading figure in contemporary jazz.

“One of the most extraordinary musicians in jazz.” – New York Times

Show Date: May 15
Show Time: 7:30pm
Tickets:
Advance $20 Adult / $10 Student
Day of $25 Adult / $15 Student
Doors Open: 6:30p