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Anthony E Nelson, Jr.

To dedicate a life to the construction and deliverance of music requires not only a tremendous commitment, but also an unparalleled passion for creativity. To wield notes and string them into a breathtaking arrangement of sound and inspiration is a gift that must be perfected daily. With each song created, each note pulled from an arsenal of musical brilliance, musician, composer and arranger, Anthony Nelson, Jr. ignites fans with his melodic originality. Fusing together jazz’s classic tranquility, gospel’s spirituality, funk’s rougher edges and neo-soul’s undeniable velvet ease to produce a sound unlike anything on today’s shelves. A saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist and bass clarinetist, Nelson is blessed with an inherent talent that is boundless in its ability to reach across generational and genre lines.

Possessing a gift that was cultivated from birth, Nelson is an avid student of song, becoming a member of Cantoris, the prestigious boy’s choir of Plainfield, New Jersey. He first picked up the alto saxophone at age 11, continuing on to the tenor saxophone by high school. Because playing the saxophone alone is not enough to warrant the title “woodwindist”, Nelson began to study the flute and clarinet to diversify his range of musical ability. Mentored by organist Radam Schwartz at the Jazz Institute of N.J., Nelson would later be featured on Schwartz’s album Magic Tales.

While his performance skills were created and sharpened growing up playing in clubs, Nelson decided to further his professional studies by enrolling at the University of the District of Columbia. There he was fortunate to study under master arranger Calvin Jones. He later went on to William Paterson University under the tutelage of Gary Smulyan and Vincent Herring.

A formidable talent in his own right, Nelson has graced the stage with an array of phenomenal figures such as Billy Hart, John Hicks and Don Braden. With an ability to float in and out of genres, perfecting his sound in each, Nelson has consciously not tied himself down to any one sphere. He has served as the clarinetist in the quintet of MacAruthur award winner and Grammy nominated violinist, Regina Carter, touring and appearing with her on NPR's Jazz Set.

Nelson has also been privileged enough to work with a number of talented musicians, ranging in genres. His credit list includes such powerhouse artists as the Ojays, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Faith Evans, "Joe", the Ray Charles Orchestra, Henry McKenzie Davis, James Weidman, Ralph Peterson, the Count Basie Orchestra and the Cab Calloway Orchestra, Cecil Brooks III and T.S. Monk, Steve Turre to name a few..

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