Dave Nelson is a Nashville-based trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer whose work spans the full breadth of contemporary music, from indie rock to contemporary classical, experimental improvisation to film and television.
As a studio musician, Dave has contributed to recordings by Taylor Swift (including her Grammy-winning album Folklore), Ed Sheeran, The National, Sufjan Stevens, Mumford and Sons, John Legend, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Goose, among many others. He has performed live with Mumford and Sons, David Byrne/St. Vincent, The National, Beirut, Vampire Weekend, Spoon, Father John Misty, and Lonnie Holley, appearing at the world's premier venues and on virtually every major late-night television stage including SNL, Colbert, Letterman, Fallon, and Kimmel.
After two decades based in New York, Dave relocated to Nashville where he has performed with the Nashville Symphony and worked with emerging artists including Willow Avalon while continuing to take on session and production work from his personal studio.
In the classical and new music world, Dave serves as solo trombonist of The Knights and has performed extensively with the International Contemporary Ensemble, NYC Opera, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, NOVUS NY, and Talea. He has held chairs in Broadway pit orchestras, performed in Andrea Bocelli's orchestra at Madison Square Garden, and his playing can be heard on the scores for Succession and Barry (HBO), The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+), and the 2012 Sundance winner Beasts of the Southern Wild.
Dave's experimental duo Nelson Patton, a long-running creative partnership with Marlon Patton, has collaborated closely with Lonnie Holley on the critically acclaimed album Mith and the short film I Snuck Off the Slave Ship, which premiered at Sundance. The duo has released three records and a fourth is forthcoming. He is also a founding member of Pfarmers, a collaborative supergroup with Bryan Devendorf (The National) and Danny Seim (Menomena), which has released two records.
Nelson Patton, "An experimental, jazz-tinged ambient [duo] with improvised roots, built around trombone, drums, and Moog bass" (Bandcamp) is a NY-based duo of Dave Nelson and Marlon Patton. Inspired by ambient minimalism, polyrhythmic composition, and orchestral sonorities, the duo layers trombone, drums and electronics to create a rich palette of improvised textures that evolve over time, creating a transportive experience. Nelson Patton has collaborated closely with Lonnie Holley, contributing heavily to his critically acclaimed album “Mith” as well as the short film “I Snuck Off The Slave Ship” which premiered at Sundance film festival.
The duo has released 3 records.
Pfarmers is an experimental supergroup, made up of Danny Seim (Menomena, Lackthereof), Bryan Devendorf (The National), and Dave Nelson.
The trio’s most engaging element is Nelson’s intricate and often startling trombone, utilized in diverse ways throughout. Whether it’s in the atmospheric gloom on opener “Benthos” or the propulsive, repeating lines of “The Ol’ River Gang”, Nelson emerges as the most exciting contributor to Gunnera.
Flexible in size and repertory, The Knights are dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audience and music. Led by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and collaboration, we seek to engage with contemporary culture through vibrant performances that honor the classical tradition and our passion for musical discovery.
“an adventurous young orchestra that has established a strong reputation for polished performances and imaginative programming.”
Dave’s solo project incorporates trombone and effect pedals to create multi-layered improvisations that develop organically into fully realized compositions.
“A solo trombone recording isn’t one that is often going to be described as ambient or intoxicating, but the newest from Dave Nelson can’t really be described any other way. …Seriously captivating music.”