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  and beyond, including Natalie Cole, Ivan Lins, Anthony Wilson, George Mraz, Jeff  Hamilton, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens, Eddie Daniels, Gaby Moreno, Sinne Eeg,  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.