Josh Nelson: West Coast Jazz Hour Trio

Josh Nelson - Piano
Eric Sittner - Bass
Kevin van den Elzen -  Drums

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. In
June of 2023, Josh toured with vocalist/songwriter Rufus Wainwright at Disney Hall and
other west coast venues. In September of 2023, Josh was part of Brazilian legend Ivan
Lins’ latest album “My Heart Speaks”.
More information at www.JoshNelsonMusic.com

Eric Sittner: Eric Sittner originally hails from Chicago, and has lived in Los Angeles for the last 16 years. He has traveled around the world and played with numerous artists locally and abroad. He is equally adept at both upright and electric bass, dedicated to taking great care and consideration to the musical moment with each note he plays. He currently tours with vocalist Patti Austin, and plays with composer/jazz pianist Vardan Ovsepian and his jazz chamber ensemble, and many other amazing musicians around the LA area.

Kevin van den Elzen is an in demand jazz-drummer and bandleader originally from the Netherlands who works and resides in Los Angeles. Kevin has worked with musicians such as John Clayton, Dick Oatts, Bob Mintzer, Larry Carlton, the New York Voices, Bob Sheppard, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Clayton, Anthony Wilson, Nick Mancini, Kim Richmond, Hubert Laws, John Beasley, Jasper Blom, Mary Stallings, Paquito d’Rivera, Josh Nelson, Jesse van Ruller, Ben van Gelder, Ack van Rooyen, Fay Claassen, Benjamin Herman and many others. He worked with big bands such as the Bill Holman Big Band, Clare Fischer Big Band, Dave Slonaker Big Band, Mike Barone Big Band, Teryn Re Big Band, Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Paradox Jazz Orchestra (NL), Orchestre de Jazz Luxembourg and the Millennium Jazz Orchestra.