Nelson Rangell

Rangell is the fourth child in a musical family. His brother, Andrew, is a well known concert pianist living in Boston; his brother, Bobby, lives in Paris and is a leading woodwind player in European jazz and studio scenes. His sister, Paula, is a professional singer living in New Orleans.

Rangell first played flute at the age of 15. Within six months he was studying both classical and jazz music at The Interlochen Arts Academy, a national camp for gifted music students. He went on to attend The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. As a student he twice won Down Beat Magazine's prestigious National Student Recording Awards competition both as best jazz and best pop/rock instrumental soloist. After college he headed to New York in 1984 to pursue his career.

The next four years were spent "paying dues", sitting in, playing alongside, and gigging with some of the world's greatest contemporary jazz musicians including Hiram Bullock, Jorge Dalto, Eric Gale, Richard Tee, Jaco Pastorius, David Sanborn and many others. He also found occasional employment with the legendary Gil Evans Monday Night Orchestra and worked on many commercial jingle recording sessions. Rangell's 1987 debut album was released on Gaia/Gramavision Records, but soon thereafter he was signed by Larry Rosen and Dave Grusin at GRP Records.

A succession of albums followed at GRP where he recorded eight CDs, beginning in 1989. His stated ambition throughout these endeavors has been "to grow and evolve as a player and artist while making music that people can easily relate to in a form that is substantive." With his musical armory encompassing flute, piccolo, alto, tenor and soprano saxophone as well as whistling, he was well equipped to fulfill this desire. He has recorded with The Rippingtons, Chuck Loeb, Patti Austin, Tom Browne, and The GRP All Star Big Band to name a few and is featured on Don Grusin's Grammy nominated CD "The Hang." Though Rangell has recorded mostly in the contemporary/pop and smooth jazz formats garnering top radio play and a large audience, The Times of London notes "heard live a much more robust and idiosyncratic player emerges." In the late 90s Rangell continued his career with Shanachie Records and has now released 14 CDs nationally and internationally.

Now with Koch Records, Nelson Rangell has recorded 3 wonderful and wide ranging CDs within 18 months. His first Christmas CD "All I Hope For Christmas" has been critically well received and has been called "an instant holiday classic" by Jazzreview.com. Rangell followed this with "My American Songbook" a collection of fresh arrangements of classic compositions by American composers. It is Rangell's most explorative and unique recording delving into Nelson's jazz roots and eclectic musical influences.

Nelson Rangell's newest CD is titled "Soul To Souls" released April 4 of 2006. It is an exciting return to Rangell's past contemporary jazz recordings like Destiny, Truest Heart and Always. The disc continues to highlight Rangell's formidable abilities and improvisational skill on many different instruments throughout the 10 compositions on the recording from tenor saxophone to piccolo. The CD features exciting performances from virtuoso guest artists Earl Klugh, Chuck Loeb, Brian Bromberg and pianist Vlad Girshevich. Rangell has recorded some of his favorite contemporary jazz pieces like Joe Sample's "Free As The Wind" and Earl Klugh's Vonetta as well as a contemporary arrangement of Dizzy Gillepie's classic "A Night In Tunisia". The disc also features 5 originals from the urban groove "City Lights" and uplifting "When I Saw You" to a new and expansive composition from Rangell and long time writing partner Kip Kuepper titled "The World View". " I'm extremely happy to present Soul To Souls and feel my fans and new listeners will enjoy this CD amongst the top of my recordings." says Rangell. I think the tunes on the disc are all easy to listen to and enjoy but also feature truly energetic and challenging soloing as well. I enjoy the CDs production artistically, and feel the honesty and strength of the performances still come through very clearly. It's one of my favorite recordings. I read once that "the way into another's heart is through your own." I can say Soul to Souls is genuinely that type of effort and communication for me."

Soul To Souls is a heartfelt recording with powerful performances throughout the disc and strongly continues Nelson Rangell's path of growth and evolvement as an artist.