About Bob Nell
Bob Nell is a Montana-born pianist, composer, and improviser whose career spans more than five decades. He began piano lessons at age five, later studied composition and piano at the University of Washington, and has built a wide-ranging career through original recordings, solo performances, ensemble work, and collaborations with leading jazz musicians.
Chasin’ a Classic released by Cadence Jazz Records.
Injury or Malpractice?, a solo piano recording, released by Plechmo Records.
Winner of the Dewars Profiles Performance Arts Award for jazz piano in New York City.
Why I Like Coffee released by New World Records.
Soft & Bronze recorded with Michael Bisio and Brad Edwards.
We Are Here recorded at Peak Recording in Bozeman, Montana.
We Are Here released by Origin Records.
Bob brings his tender truths and his stunning virtuosity to the program.
From early study to a wide-ranging career in jazz.
Bob Nell began piano lessons at age five after mimicking his older sibling’s lessons by ear. He later studied composition and piano at the University of Washington, where he received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees.
His career has included original recordings, solo concerts, ensemble performances, symphony appearances, and work with regional jazz groups.
Performance, composition, and recognition.
Nell has performed with Eddie Harris, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Bobby Hutcherson, David “Fathead” Newman, Emily Remler, Sonny Fortune, Jack Walrath, Red Holloway, and Richie Cole. He has also appeared as a featured soloist with the Billings Symphony and Glacier Symphony.
He received an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Montana Arts Council and the Dewar’s Profiles Performance Arts Award for Jazz Piano. Meet the Composer commissioned him to write for the 17-piece New York Composer’s Orchestra-West. He was also a two-time winner on BET Network’s Jazz Discovery and has appeared on Bravo and Montana PBS.
We Are Here
A contemporary jazz conversation between Bob Nell and Michael Bisio, shaped by more than fifty years of friendship and musical exploration.