Steve Nelson is one of the most highly regarded vibraphonists of his generation. Recognized for his inventive and fluidly harmonic approach, Steve began his career following the path blazed by his first major influence, Milt Jackson. After a college stint with guitarist Grant Green, Nelson performed and recorded with James Spaulding and Kenny Barron, before landing a spot in David "Fathead" Newman's quintet.

Steve has been the vibist of choice among some of jazz's most iconic artists including Jonny Griffin, Jackie McLean, Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, James Williams, and Lewis Nash. Steve is a veteran member of Dave Holland's acclaimed quintet and Big Band, George Shearing Quintet, and was a friend and frequent collaborator with Mulgrew Miller on his Wingspan sextet. Expressing his admiration for Miller, Steve says, "The thing that really stood out for me was his honesty in music...We had many of the same goals and ideas about taking the foundation of jazz and then advancing it." Steve continues to tour and record with Donald Brown, Renee Rosnes, Geoffrey Keezer and Jeremy Pelt, among others.

"One of the most extraordinary musicians in jazz...his solo on Monk’s “Trinkle Tinkle” made you not want to breathe until it was done." – Ben Ratliff (The New York Times)