top of page

PRESS

fe7806782748443574daa73ac648e0ba.jpg

"With no disrespect to any other vibraphonist on the scene, Steve Nelson is my favorite on the instrument...."

Ted Panken
Screenshot 2025-01-24 at 5.23.21 PM.png

Beyond This Place has been nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album at the 67th GRAMMY® Awards

"Barron’s svelte voicings and urbane excellence always engage, as do the experienced vibraphonist Steve Nelson’s focus and flow. Both musicians get inside compositions, capture their mood and expand their narrative thread." –– Financial Times

Rehabilitation of a Vibraphonist: "Nelson’s set list on any given night reveals the complexities of his instrument—and the depth of his skill. He grips as few as two mallets, holding them like drum sticks, and as many as four, sliding them between his fingers so they protrude like the claws of Wolverine. He employs ghost notes, grace notes, staccato notes, legato notes, single-stroke rolls, double-stroke sticking, and alternate sticking. He navigates chord changes, key changes, and turns of phrases. He knows when to tap the vibraphone, when to clobber the vibraphone, and when to silence the vibraphone, affording his fellow musicians their time and space." Pulitzer Center, Nathan Seigelaub​

 

The Full On Nelson: The New York City Jazz Record birthday feature on Steve Nelson, Russ Musto

 

A Common Language: "...one of the best career efforts of the number one vibes player of his generation, with more than a little help from his exceptional Dutch friends. Flophouse Jazz,  Francois van de Linde

 

In Central Park, Mid Pandemic, Jazz was Alive, Atop Sacred Ground:  NPR

​​

 

School’s in Session, but Don’t You Dare Take Notes: "Mr. Nelson is one of the most extraordinary musicians in jazz...."  The New York Times, Ben Ratliff

 

Ted Panken on Music, Politics and the Arts: "With no disrespect to any other vibraphonist on the scene, Steve Nelson is my favorite on the instrument...." Ted Panken

 

 

Steve Nelson: Sound Effect: "Throughout Sound-Effect, Nelson distinguishes himself as an outstanding soloist, perhaps even elevating his game a notch in the presence of such a regal rhythm section." Jazz Times, Bill Milkowski

 

The Center of the Music: Nelson salutes Miller on his charming new disc, Brothers Under the Sun (HighNote), on which he leads a crackling quartet...."  Jazz Times, John Murph

Echoes of an Era Offer a Common Language: "Effervescent mastery is the reason to see Mr. Nelson's band."  The New York Times, Nate Chinen

 

Steve Nelson Quartet: New Beginnings: "...exemplifies the combination of mature craftsmanship and youthful vigor necessary to make cogent mainstream jazz." Jazz Times, Bill Shoemaker

 

East Liberty Native Steve Nelson Among Jazz's Top Vibraphonists: "Pittsburgh is well known for its expatriate jazz musicians who expanded the vocabulary of instruments like the drums (Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke) and piano (Mary Lou Williams, Earl "Fatha" Hines), to name a few. Less common is the vibraphone, but one of the more highly regarded players of the instrument is East Liberty native Steve Nelson." Pittsburgh City Paper, Mike Shanley

 

Vibraphoning Home: Steve Nelson Returns for Rare Pittsburgh Concert:   Pittsburg Post and Gazette.

​​

© 2024   Steve Nelson

bottom of page