Alva Nelson
New York City-based Alva Nelson, son of a Texas Preacher Man, was a member of the famed Kashmere Stage Band, the Houston high school band largely considered “professional”, based on several stellar recordings made in the 1970’s. The HBO/Showtime documentary, “THUNDERSOUL”, shares wonderful intimate detail regarding these young men & their relationship with mentor, Conrad O. Johnson . Alva Nelson was educated at Sam Houston State & Texas Southern Universities, and he has received two Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, two Jazz Scholarships from the National Association of Jazz Educators, several Meet- the-Composer grants, and a semi-finalist appearance in the Thelonious International Jazz Piano Competition. Mr. Nelson has appeared on recordings with Lonnie Plaxico and Robin Eubanks, and produced CDs by Juanita Fleming and Dorothy Leigh. Additionally, Alva has performed with Kirk Whalum, Arnett Cobb, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Odetta.