Jeff Nelsen (born December 11, 1969) is a Canadian

French horn The French horn (since the 1930s known simply as the horn in professional music circles) is a brass instrument made of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. The double horn in F/B (technically a variety of German horn) is the horn most ...

player and is Professor of Horn at the

Jacobs School of Music The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, is a music conservatory established in 1921. Until 2005, it was known as the Indiana University School of Music. It has more than 1,500 students, approximately half of whom ar ...

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. Campuses Indiana University has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration of IUPUI. *Indiana Universi ...

Bloomington, IN Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the central region of the U.S. state of Indiana. It is the seventh-largest city in Indiana and the fourth-largest outside the Indianapolis metropolitan area. According to the Monro ...

. He has performed in the

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its primary concert venue is the Centennial Concert Hall, and the orchestra also performs throughout the province of Manitoba. The WSO presents an average ...

, the Montreal Symphony, the

New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic, officially the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., globally known as New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO) or New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, is a symphony orchestra based in New York City. It is ...

, and the

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

St. Louis St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...

, and

National National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, c ...

symphonies.

Biography

Jeff is a horn player who has thrilled and inspired audiences and students around the world. While studying music at McGill University in Montreal, Jeff won an audition for an orchestra. He left school to take the position as fourth horn in the Winnipeg Symphony; the following year he won the audition for fourth horn in the

Montreal Symphony. Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-pe ...

Since then, and for the past twenty years Jeff has been living his dreams full out and fearlessly. Jeff toured and recorded for eight years with

Canadian Brass The Canadian Brass is a Canadian brass quintet formed in 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, by Charles Daellenbach (tuba) and Gene Watts (trombone), with horn player Graeme Page and trumpeters Stuart Laughton and Bill Phillips completing the quintet. ...

, he has performed recitals and concerti with orchestras in North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia, and he is a professor at the prestigious

. Jeff's biggest passion is talking others into reaching their dreams through what he calls Fearless Performance. The world agrees this is an important subject, as this is a topic on which Jeff recently gave a

TEDx Talk TED Conferences, LLC (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an American-Canadian non-profit media organization that posts international talks online for free distribution under the slogan "ideas worth spreading". TED was founded by Richard Sau ...

. Other performing experiences for Jeff have included playing the full run of two Broadway shows (" Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and " The Pirate Queen" - two of Broadway's most expensive flops – as a result, he's not allowed back there!), touring with

Michael Bolton Michael Bolotin
, The Jewish Historical Society of New Haven, 1998. (born February 26, 1953), known professio ...

and Barry Manilow, recording dozens of movie soundtracks, and performing in the horn sections of orchestras including the

, the

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple ...

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

, and

Symphonies, and the Balkan Gypsy funk band of Slavic Soul Party. With

, Jeff has also performed with the

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

and

Cleveland Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...

Orchestras, the symphonies of

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

, Buffalo,

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the wes ...

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at t ...

Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...

Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee ...

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

Rotterdam Rotterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Rotte'') is the second largest city and municipality in the Netherlands. It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the ''"Ne ...

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17th ...

Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

, with the esteemed

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, and

El Sistema El Sistema (which translates to The System) is a publicly financed, voluntary sector, music-education program, founded in Venezuela in 1975 by Venezuelan educator, musician, and activist José Antonio Abreu.Lesniak It later adopted the motto "M ...

brass ensembles, and special annual concerts with the principal brass of the

and Philadelphia Orchestra. Most recently, in December, 2012, Jeff had a blast performing with the “Distant Worlds - Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Concert” in Chicago. Jeff's other most recent exciting accomplishment is becoming a magician member of the “

Academy of Magical Arts The Magic Castle is a clubhouse for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. It is in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California and it bills itself as "the most unusual private club in t ...

” at the world famous

Magic Castle The Magic Castle is a clubhouse for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. It is in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California and it bills itself as "the most unusual private club in t ...

in Los Angeles. Jeff helped design his own model o
Dieter Otto
horn (180KA-JN) and his ow
mouthpiece
as well. Jeff gives back to the horn community as a member of the

International Horn Society The International Horn Society (IHS) is an international organization dedicated to players of the Brass instrument, horn founded in June 1970 with a goal to promote horn playing, education and fellowship. A community of over 3500 members from 55 ...

's advisory council and the board of directors for th
International Horn Competition of America

Media Links

TEDxBloomington -- Jeff Nelsen -- "Fearless Performance"

Fearless Performance for Musicians - Indiana Public Media

Brahms Horn Trio - Interview Video

Brahms Horn Trio - Performance Video

Jeff Nelsen plays Nagy's Happy Blues on french horn in Chile

Canadian Brass, Paganini Variations feat. Jeff Nelsen, horn
Jeff Nelsen was a huge hit as one of the featured artists at the 37th

Symposium ( June 2005). He is one of the most dynamic individuals that I have ever worked with, and is among the finest horn players that I have ever heard. If you know Jeff, you are better for it. If you don't know Jeff, you should. : — Skip Snead, Director of the School of Music,

University of Alabama The University of Alabama (informally known as Alabama, UA, or Bama) is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest and largest of the publi ...

Discography Selections

* ''

Brahms Johannes Brahms (; 7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, he spent much of his professional life in Vienna. He is sometimes grouped with ...

Horn Trio: Op. 40 w/Mozart Horn Quintet, adapted for Horn Trio by Tony Rickard'' *: 2010, Opening Day Records * ''The Planets with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra'' *:

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its primary concert venue is Music Hall. In addition to its symphony concerts, the orchestra gives pops concerts as the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. The Cinc ...

Paavo Järvi Paavo Järvi (; born 30 December 1962) is an Estonian-American conductor. Early life Järvi was born in Tallinn, Estonia, to Liilia Järvi and the Estonian conductor Neeme Järvi. His siblings, Kristjan Järvi and Maarika Järvi, are also mu ...

, conductor *: 2009, Telarc * ''Pirate Queen, Original Broadway Cast Recording'' *: 2007, Sony Classics * ''

Failure to Launch ''Failure to Launch'' is a 2006 American romantic comedy film directed by Tom Dey, and starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. The film focuses on a 35-year-old man living with his parents who shows no interest in leaving the comf ...

'' *: 2006, Paramount Pictures * ''

Lucky Number Slevin ''Lucky Number Slevin'' (also known as ''The Wrong Man'' in Australia, ''The 7 Affair'' in Spain, ''Hitman for Hire'' in Mexico and ''Check-Mate'' in Brazil) is a 2006 neo-noir action crime thriller film directed by Paul McGuigan and written by ...

'' *: 2006,

Capitol Films Capitol Films was a British film production and distribution company (number 02392790), incorporated on 6 June 1989 and dissolved on 7 May 2013. In January 2006 it was sold to American Mobius Pictures, owned by entrepreneur and film producer Da ...

* ''Stan Kenton Christmas Carols - Boston Brass and Friends'' *: 2006, Summit Classical * '' Stealth'' *: 2003, Hal Leonard DVD * '' Elizabeth Rex Soundtrack'' *: 2003, Rhombus Media * ''I Found Love'' *: Denzal Sinclaire *: 2002, Blue Note Records * '' Pitch Black'' *: 2000, Interscope Communications Pictures * ''The Bride of Chucky'' *: 1998, Midwinter Productions, Inc. * ''

Air Bud ''Air Bud'' is a 1997 sports comedy film directed by Charles Martin Smith. The film was financially successful, grossing $4 million in its opening weekend and totaling $27.8 million in its run against an estimated $3 million budget. Plot After ...

'' *: 1997,

Walt Disney Pictures Walt Disney Pictures is an American film production company and subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company. The studio is the flagship producer of live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Studios unit ...

* ''Berlioz Requiem'' *: Montréal Symphony Orchestra *: Charles Dutoit, conductor *: 1995, London/Decca * ''Bartók Concerto for Orchestra'' *: Montréal Symphony Orchestra *: Charles Dutoit, conductor *: 1994, London/Decca DVD Recordings with Canadian Brass * ''Stars and Stripes- Canadian Brass Salute America'' *: 2010, Opening Day Records * Echo; Glory of Gabrieli *: 2009, Opening Day Records * ''Swing That Music'' *: 2009, Opening Day Records * ''Legends'' *: 2008, Opening Day Records * ''Bach'' *: 2008, Opening Day Records * ''High Society'' *: 2007, Opening Day Records * ''Christmas Tradition'' *: 2007, Opening Day Records * ''And So It Goes, Giles Tomkins'' *: 2006, Opening Day Records * ''Magic Horn'' *: 2004, Opening Day Records * ''Amazing Brass'' *: 2002, Opening Day Records * ''Holidays with Canadian Brass'' *: 2000, Opening Day Records

External links

*
Nina Yoshida Nelsen

Canadian Brass

Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Jeff Horn players Jacobs School of Music faculty Living people 1969 births