Drummer. Composer. Educator.
MUSIC
VIDEOS
Ottawa Citizen Jazz Blog
19.02.2015
"The young Montreal drummer Mark Nelson’s been featured as an exciting and propulsive sideman on more than a few fine albums and concerts that I’ve taken in over the last few years…"
- Peter Hum
Le jars jase jazz
09.06.2014
"Un autre bijou rythmique. Apparemment c'est simple mais essayez donc de suivre ce que fait le batteur."
- Guillaume Lagrée
"To be noted with an asterisk is the understated but conceptually considerate accompaniment of percussionist Mark Nelson who doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to providing flexible structure and variety of textures to the many musical ideas that radiate throughout this collection."
- Robert J. Lewis
Born in Calgary, Mark Nelson began drumming at age 15. In 2003, he received his Bachelor of Music Performance (Jazz) from Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. Mark received a Masters in Music Performance (Jazz) from the Schulich School of Music, McGill University in 2015. The same year, he released his first recording as a bandleader, Mark Nelson’s Sympathetic Frequencies. In 2017, he performed at the OFF Festival de jazz opening night with his group. His second recording, Parcours, was released in 2021.
Mark furthered his study of music at the Banff Centre for the Arts (Alberta) creative music workshop directed by Dave Douglas and SIM, School for Improvisational Music (Brooklyn), directed by Ralph Alessi.
Based out of Montréal, Mark has had the opportunity to tour with various ensembles across Canada, Europe, Central America and Brazil. He performs and records with the the following artists: Ian Kelly, Rob Lutes, Elizabeth Shepherd, Little Misty, Trio Bruxo, Cordâme, The Sunset Hill Jazz Band, Olivier Babaz, Rodrigo Simoes, Sonia Johnson and Guillaume Martineau.