Nelson Hill is a saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist from Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania. He has studied privately with Phil Woods, Hal Galper, Eddie Daniels and James Caruso. Nelson graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1981 with a B.M. in Saxophone Performance. At Eastman, Nelson studied with Ramon Ricker, Bill Dobbins, Rayburn Wright, William Osseck and Mardelle Marcellis. He performed with the National Jazz Ensemble. Upon graduation, he toured for three years with Maynard Ferguson, playing lead alto saxophone. During his stay, he recorded on the albums Storm and Hollywood.
After he left Ferguson in 1984, Nelson worked at Tamiment Resort, Harrah's Marina and Mount Airy Lodge where he performed with Tony Bennett, The Spinners, The Temptations, Wayne Newton, Jay Black, Frankie Valli and many others.
In 2002, Nelson released his first solo CD titled Lethal. He works with his quartet and with pianist Eric Mintel. Nelson released his second solo CD in the fall of 2004. Nelson has also taught saxophone and jazz improvisation at Lafayette College Blair Academy, and privately. His students have enrolled in schools such as Eastman, Berklee, Ithica, NYU and Manhattan School of Music.
In 2002, Nelson became a Performing Artist and Clinician for the Yamaha Corporation of America. When not on the road with the EMQ, Nelson is husband to Mary and father to their 4 daughters Jessica, Danielle, Talia and Kendall.
