Biography

Praised for the "breathtaking singing quality of his sound" by jazz icon John McNeil and as a "musician of the highest order" by renowned orchestral trumpeter Charles Daval, Ryan Nielsen began performing professionally at 17, and has since been a guest artist at concerts and festivals throughout the United States.

His debut album, a joint project with his mentor, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, is called Gift of Breath. It was named a 2017 Recommended New Release by the New York City Jazz Record. Ra Kalam, whose previous work has been selected by the Smithsonian as a landmark in jazz history, called Gift of Breath, "One of the deepest, most soulful and creative recordings I've ever done."

In 2016, Nielsen was named trumpeter in the Kobie Watkins Grouptet. Their first album, "Movement," was released on Origin Records to international critical acclaim. The Chicago Tribune named it one of the ten best albums of 2018, alongside artists like Joe Lovano, Stefon Harris, and Dave Douglas.

As a classical artist, Nielsen co-founded the Teton Brass Quintet with renowned trumpeter Charles Daval (formerly Assistant Principal, Boston Symphony Orchestra). He has also performed and recorded with the internationally acclaimed Summit Brass.

While at Arizona State University, Nielsen studied with David Hickman, Mike Kocour, and Mike Crotty. He received the Doc Severinsen award for outstanding classical and jazz trumpet. He completed his doctoral studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he studied with John McNeil, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, and Tom Rolfs.

Teaching