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Artist
Born in Los Angeles, multi-instrumentalist Ted Nash's interest in music started at an early age. Exposed to music and encouraged by his father, trombonist Dick Nash, and uncle, reedman Ted Nash - both well-known studio and jazz musicians - the younger Nash started playing the piano when he was seven. By the time he turned 12, he had started playing the clarinet; a year later the obviously talented Nash had picked up the alto sax. In high school Nash had the good fortune to study jazz improvisation with Charlie Shoemake, the innovative teacher and well-respected vibraphonist. Nash's first gig came when he was only 16. At that young juncture he ended playing a week in Hawaii with legendary vibraphonist and band leader, Lionel Hampton. The same year he won an audition to play lead alto with the Quincy Jones band, and by the time he was 17 Nash had toured Europe, appeared on three records, and was performing regularly with the likes of Don Ellis, Louie Bellson and Toshiko Akiyoshi, as well as leading his own quintet. Ted Nash has been a composer since he was 15. Bellson recorded his first composition, "Tristemente," and place it on Raincheck (Concord). At the time Bellson's quintet included, along with Nash, the great Blue Mitchell. When he turned 18, Nash decided to make the big move and come to the East Coast and New York City. It wasn't long before he had recorded Conception (Concord), his first album as a leader. During his first three years in New York Nash became a regul