Dave Nelson

Dave Nelson is a New York-based trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He works extensively as a session player, often arranging and recording remotely from his personal studio in Upstate, NY.

As a studio musician, Dave has contributed to recordings by a range of popular artists including The National, Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, Mumford and Sons, Joanna Newsom, Frightened Rabbit, Jonsi, Local Natives, Steve Coleman, John Adams, Martha Wainwright, and many more.

Touring credits include David Byrne/St. Vincent, The National, and Lonnie Holley. Dave has also performed live with Vampire Weekend, Spoon, Father John Misty, Beirut, Bonobo, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros among others. He has performed at many of the world’s best venues as well as on most major late-night TV shows including SNL, Colbert, Letterman, Fallon, and Kimmel.

In addition to his work in popular music, Dave performs with many of today’s premier classical and new music ensembles. He is principal trombonist of The Knights Orchestra, and has performed extensively with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), NYC Opera, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, NOVUS NY, and Talea. Dave has held chairs on Broadway shows West Side Story (2010 revival) and Gigi (2015 revival) and many others as a sub. He can also be heard on numerous film and television scores including The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney +), Succession (HBO), Barry (HBO), and Sundance Winner Beasts of the Southern Wild.