Nathan Dell-Vandenberg

As a trombonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader, Nathan Dell-Vandenberg has an insatiable thirst for exploration. Growing up in Toronto, Ontario with an artist for a mother and father who embraced new ideas, Nathan developed early as a creative thinker. His inventive personality began to flourish in his high school music program at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. As a trombonist in the senior band, he had the opportunity to play locally and in New York, Chicago, Clarksdale (home of the blues) and New Orleans. He has also recorded at such historic studios as FAME and EGREM. While these experiences planted the seed of inspiration in Nathan, his true calling came when he was introduced to varied improvised music styles. After high school graduation, Nathan enrolled in Humber College’s jazz program where he recently graduated with a degree. As the years have progressed Nathan has performed with the likes of Chris Potter, Terence Blanchard, Fred Frith, Jim Black, and Jane Bunnett and Nathan has also gained recognition from the Humber Et Cetera Newspaper, as they have quoted “He has been making his mark when it comes to free jazz in Toronto” as well as “…Pioneering his own brand of unidentifiable, mystique jazz… racking up awards”. The awards he has received have been presented to him for 5 years running including awards such as the “Jerry Johnson Award of Excellence”, the “Duke Ellington Society Scholarship”, the “Harknett Musical Services Award”, the “Elizabeth Borden Memorial Scholarship”, the “John Molyneux Scholarship”, and lastly the “Performing Arts Music award”. Nathan has always had a passion for composing and he furthered his composing and arranging in College by writing for the 10-piece trombone ensemble, the Latin big band, an 8-piece modern jazz octet Esprit D’Escalier, an 11-piece contemporary new music ensemble and his current project Maybe Not; a quartet of electric guitar and bass, drums and trombone. Integrating musical styles of rock, swing, and improvisation, “the approach is inventive; the vibe creative, playful and genuine.”

Awards

“Jerry Johnson Award of Excellence”, the “Duke Ellington Society Scholarship”, the “Harknett Musical Services Award”, the “Elizabeth Borden Memorial Scholarship”, the “John Molyneux Scholarship”, and the “Performing Arts Music award”.

Gear

Yamaha YSL 691 Trombone

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