Nick Finzer Quartet
Tickets
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About
Hailed as a “Rising Star” in the world of jazz (DownBeat Critics Poll), Nick Finzer is making waves in the music industry with his dynamic original compositions and trombone artistry. Finzer has toured the globe as a bandleader as well as sharing the stage with some of the most respected names in jazz. As both a headlining trombonist and an entrepreneur, Finzer is on a mission to spread the joy and power of jazz.
Finzer's love for jazz began in his childhood, when he became captivated with the music of Duke Ellington. This passion led him to participate in the annual Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center, inspiring him to follow his dreams to move to NYC to pursue a life in music. Finzer went on to study at the renowned Eastman School of Music and then The Juilliard School, where he was mentored by trombone legend Steve Turre.
A highlight of Finzer’s recent accolades include a Grammy nomination with Anat Cohen's Tentet, being named "Rising Star Trombonist '' in the Downbeat Magazine 2020 Critics Poll, and receiving an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. As a bandleader, Finzer has released seven critically acclaimed albums, garnering features in the industry’s top publications and placements in the Top 10 of the JazzWeek’s charts. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America, resulting in his 2023 album “Dreams, Visions, Illusions”.
Finzer's talent and dedication to the craft have not gone unnoticed by his peers in the industry. Wycliffe Gordon, who mentored Finzer early in his career, has called him "a new voice [in] the pantheon of upcoming trombone greats in the making." In addition to his headliner performances, Finzer has also had the opportunity to perform with jazz heavyweights such as Wynton Marsalis, Anat Cohen, Dafnis Prieto, and Ryan Truesdell's Gil Evans Project. In his international touring, Finzer has played at legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, the Bimhuis, Birdland, the Blue Note, and the SF Jazz Center.
As a visionary in the world of music, Nick Finzer brings a unique perspective to the table as both a record label founder, producer, and a respected consultant in music entrepreneurship. Finzer has made a significant impact on the jazz industry by founding Outside in Music (OiM), an artist-focused record label and media company featuring some of the genre’s rising stars around the world.
As a result of his artistry and innovation, Nick Finzer has become a highly sought out authority on jazz trombone and education. In 2018, Nick Finzer made history as the inaugural Assistant Professor of Jazz Trombone at the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas. As a leading figure in the world of jazz, Finzer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the university, having previously served as a Visiting Professor of Jazz Trombone at Florida State University, a sabbatical replacement at Hunter College, and at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Academy. Finzer has also made a name for himself as an author and educator, sharing his wealth of knowledge in jazz education and music business with the world through his wide breadth of books, masterclasses, courses, and active YouTube channel.
As someone who consistently strives to propel his musical ideas forward, Finzer’s latest album, "The Jazz Orchestra Volume 1” presents Finzer’s original music in a new large ensemble setting, releasing August 22, 2025. With his never-ceasing drive to evolve his artistry and innovate within the music industry, Finzer continues to inspire and impact musicians and audiences around the globe.
Nick is an artist for Conn-Selmer Inc. and plays a King 3B+ Trombone.
Born into a musical household in Teaneck, NJ, Caelan Cardello practically had music infused in his DNA from the start. He started playing piano at the age of 5 and within two years had begun parallel arcs of formal training in both classical and jazz piano, starting with jazz pianist/arranger Allen Farnham and Juilliard classical alum Steve Masi. Caelan’s consistent musical growth enabled him to secure mentorships with some of the most sought after luminaries in the jazz piano pantheon, most notably Fred Hersch, Frank Kimbrough and Dave Kikoski
Caelan’s early involvement with several distinguished arts programs figure prominently in his musical development. First and foremost was the renowned Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ - a comprehensive and immersive community jazz arts program developed and run by jazz vocalist Melissa Walker and husband, bass icon Christian McBride. Caelan often held “featured artist” status when playing with the JHK ensembles and his 7 years with the program afforded him invaluable opportunities to play and study with some of the most prominent figures in jazz today including Jimmy Cobb, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jack DeJohnette, Wallace Roney, Ravi Coltrane, Paquito D'Rivera, pop songsmith Bruce Hornsby and of course Christian McBride to name but a few. As an alumnist of the program, Caelan’s affiliation has continually opened doors for him to perform with many other celebrated jazz greats in NYC’s legendary jazz haunts like Dizzy’s Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Smalls Jazz Club and The Jazz Standard.
Caelan cites two additional program experiences as being particularly impactful; they are his performances with The New Jersey All State Orchestra (2016, 2017) and the prestigious National Young Arts NYC program (2018) for which he was selected from a substantial and very competitive pool of talented young musicians.
Over time, Caelan’s musical accomplishments and live performances have garnered him several prestigious awards including the New Jersey Governor's Award, the James Moody College Scholarship Award for “Outstanding Musicianship,” and the prestigious 2021 BMI Foundation’s Future Jazz Master Award which lists Ahmad Jamal, Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock among their judges. One honor of particular mention is the “Outstanding Soloist” award he received at the Charles Mingus HS Competition & Festival which resulted in Caelan being “tapped” for a “sub” slot with the Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standard in NYC. Most recently, Caelan was selected as one of the five finalists for the very prestigious American Pianists Association Jazz Piano Competition. The competition prize includes career assistance and touring, with a value of over $200,000.
This artist does not have a bio yet.
Ofri Nehemya was born on January 10th, 1994 in Givatayim, Israel, to a musical family; his father is a drummer and his mother is a singer. Since a very young age, when music was all around, Ofri was exposed to all different kinds of music including Rock, Pop, Fusion and more. Around the age of 3, he picked up the drumsticks for the first time, playing simple grooves only a few months later.
From the age of 8 Ofri was taught by his father for the next 4 years, playing mostly fusion music. In the age of 12, Ofri started taking piano lessons Classical and jazz, that gave him the basics of harmony and composition.
3 years later, at the age of 15, Ofri started his studies at Thelma-Yellin High school's Jazz department. From that point he was mostly playing jazz music.
In high school Ofri started studying arrangment, musicianship and jazz history. At the same time, he was playing in the department's jazz combos and in the high school's big-band.
In the age of 17 Ofri met the worldwide known Israeli saxophone player Eli Degibri for the first time, and after a while started to play in his quartet, also sharing the stage with worldwide known jazz musicians as Aaron Goldberg and Reuben Rogers.
One year before high school graduation, Ofri got a full scholarship to Berklee's workshop summer program. While taking the short course, he won a Full Ride scholarship for 4 years Studies.
At the age of 19, Ofri started playing with the well known Israeli bass player Avishai Cohen, touring with him allover the world. Ofri plays on the album 'Almah' - the official record of the Avishai Cohen with strings project.
At the year of 2015, Ofri started working with Israeli bassist and composer Omer Avital, and have been touring, performing and recording with him since then.
Ofri recently joined Shai Maestro Trio, recording with him "The Dream Thief" - An album for the prestigious ECM Records.
Currently Ofri lives in New York City, and keeps collaborating with some of the leading musicians on the Jazz music scene.
Finzer's love for jazz began in his childhood, when he became captivated with the music of Duke Ellington. This passion led him to participate in the annual Essentially Ellington competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center, inspiring him to follow his dreams to move to NYC to pursue a life in music. Finzer went on to study at the renowned Eastman School of Music and then The Juilliard School, where he was mentored by trombone legend Steve Turre.
A highlight of Finzer’s recent accolades include a Grammy nomination with Anat Cohen's Tentet, being named "Rising Star Trombonist '' in the Downbeat Magazine 2020 Critics Poll, and receiving an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award. As a bandleader, Finzer has released seven critically acclaimed albums, garnering features in the industry’s top publications and placements in the Top 10 of the JazzWeek’s charts. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America, resulting in his 2023 album “Dreams, Visions, Illusions”.
Finzer's talent and dedication to the craft have not gone unnoticed by his peers in the industry. Wycliffe Gordon, who mentored Finzer early in his career, has called him "a new voice [in] the pantheon of upcoming trombone greats in the making." In addition to his headliner performances, Finzer has also had the opportunity to perform with jazz heavyweights such as Wynton Marsalis, Anat Cohen, Dafnis Prieto, and Ryan Truesdell's Gil Evans Project. In his international touring, Finzer has played at legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, the Bimhuis, Birdland, the Blue Note, and the SF Jazz Center.
As a visionary in the world of music, Nick Finzer brings a unique perspective to the table as both a record label founder, producer, and a respected consultant in music entrepreneurship. Finzer has made a significant impact on the jazz industry by founding Outside in Music (OiM), an artist-focused record label and media company featuring some of the genre’s rising stars around the world.
As a result of his artistry and innovation, Nick Finzer has become a highly sought out authority on jazz trombone and education. In 2018, Nick Finzer made history as the inaugural Assistant Professor of Jazz Trombone at the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas. As a leading figure in the world of jazz, Finzer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the university, having previously served as a Visiting Professor of Jazz Trombone at Florida State University, a sabbatical replacement at Hunter College, and at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Academy. Finzer has also made a name for himself as an author and educator, sharing his wealth of knowledge in jazz education and music business with the world through his wide breadth of books, masterclasses, courses, and active YouTube channel.
As someone who consistently strives to propel his musical ideas forward, Finzer’s latest album, "The Jazz Orchestra Volume 1” presents Finzer’s original music in a new large ensemble setting, releasing August 22, 2025. With his never-ceasing drive to evolve his artistry and innovate within the music industry, Finzer continues to inspire and impact musicians and audiences around the globe.
Nick is an artist for Conn-Selmer Inc. and plays a King 3B+ Trombone.
Born into a musical household in Teaneck, NJ, Caelan Cardello practically had music infused in his DNA from the start. He started playing piano at the age of 5 and within two years had begun parallel arcs of formal training in both classical and jazz piano, starting with jazz pianist/arranger Allen Farnham and Juilliard classical alum Steve Masi. Caelan’s consistent musical growth enabled him to secure mentorships with some of the most sought after luminaries in the jazz piano pantheon, most notably Fred Hersch, Frank Kimbrough and Dave Kikoski
Caelan’s early involvement with several distinguished arts programs figure prominently in his musical development. First and foremost was the renowned Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ - a comprehensive and immersive community jazz arts program developed and run by jazz vocalist Melissa Walker and husband, bass icon Christian McBride. Caelan often held “featured artist” status when playing with the JHK ensembles and his 7 years with the program afforded him invaluable opportunities to play and study with some of the most prominent figures in jazz today including Jimmy Cobb, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jack DeJohnette, Wallace Roney, Ravi Coltrane, Paquito D'Rivera, pop songsmith Bruce Hornsby and of course Christian McBride to name but a few. As an alumnist of the program, Caelan’s affiliation has continually opened doors for him to perform with many other celebrated jazz greats in NYC’s legendary jazz haunts like Dizzy’s Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Smalls Jazz Club and The Jazz Standard.
Caelan cites two additional program experiences as being particularly impactful; they are his performances with The New Jersey All State Orchestra (2016, 2017) and the prestigious National Young Arts NYC program (2018) for which he was selected from a substantial and very competitive pool of talented young musicians.
Over time, Caelan’s musical accomplishments and live performances have garnered him several prestigious awards including the New Jersey Governor's Award, the James Moody College Scholarship Award for “Outstanding Musicianship,” and the prestigious 2021 BMI Foundation’s Future Jazz Master Award which lists Ahmad Jamal, Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock among their judges. One honor of particular mention is the “Outstanding Soloist” award he received at the Charles Mingus HS Competition & Festival which resulted in Caelan being “tapped” for a “sub” slot with the Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standard in NYC. Most recently, Caelan was selected as one of the five finalists for the very prestigious American Pianists Association Jazz Piano Competition. The competition prize includes career assistance and touring, with a value of over $200,000.
This artist does not have a bio yet.
Ofri Nehemya was born on January 10th, 1994 in Givatayim, Israel, to a musical family; his father is a drummer and his mother is a singer. Since a very young age, when music was all around, Ofri was exposed to all different kinds of music including Rock, Pop, Fusion and more. Around the age of 3, he picked up the drumsticks for the first time, playing simple grooves only a few months later.
From the age of 8 Ofri was taught by his father for the next 4 years, playing mostly fusion music. In the age of 12, Ofri started taking piano lessons Classical and jazz, that gave him the basics of harmony and composition.
3 years later, at the age of 15, Ofri started his studies at Thelma-Yellin High school's Jazz department. From that point he was mostly playing jazz music.
In high school Ofri started studying arrangment, musicianship and jazz history. At the same time, he was playing in the department's jazz combos and in the high school's big-band.
In the age of 17 Ofri met the worldwide known Israeli saxophone player Eli Degibri for the first time, and after a while started to play in his quartet, also sharing the stage with worldwide known jazz musicians as Aaron Goldberg and Reuben Rogers.
One year before high school graduation, Ofri got a full scholarship to Berklee's workshop summer program. While taking the short course, he won a Full Ride scholarship for 4 years Studies.
At the age of 19, Ofri started playing with the well known Israeli bass player Avishai Cohen, touring with him allover the world. Ofri plays on the album 'Almah' - the official record of the Avishai Cohen with strings project.
At the year of 2015, Ofri started working with Israeli bassist and composer Omer Avital, and have been touring, performing and recording with him since then.
Ofri recently joined Shai Maestro Trio, recording with him "The Dream Thief" - An album for the prestigious ECM Records.
Currently Ofri lives in New York City, and keeps collaborating with some of the leading musicians on the Jazz music scene.
Lineup
