Nick Finzer

Biography

Nick Finzer is an American jazz trombonist, composer, bandleader, educator, and label founder, widely regarded as one of the leading trombone voices of his generation.[2][3][7] Born and raised in Rochester, New York, in a musical family as the son of internationally known flutist Sherry Finzer, he was drawn early to the sound of Duke Ellington and the big-band tradition.[5][6] His involvement with the Eastman School of Music’s pre-college program and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition cemented his decision to pursue a life in music, eventually leading him to formal studies at the Eastman School of Music and a master’s degree from the Juilliard School’s prestigious jazz program, where he was mentored by trombone legend Steve Turre.[3][5] As a young musician he also developed a formative mentorship with master trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, who wrote original pieces for Finzer and helped guide his early career.[3][5]

Emerging in the 2010s, Finzer quickly established himself in New York City as both a bandleader and in-demand sideman, working with ensembles such as Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Lucas Pino’s No Net Nonet, Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project, Bob Stewart’s Double Quartet, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.[2][3][5] He released his debut album as a leader, “Exposition,” in 2013, followed by a string of critically acclaimed recordings that showcased his dynamic writing and modern yet historically grounded approach to jazz, including projects with his long-standing sextet Hear & Now and his quartet.[1][3] His compositions have earned two ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, and he received a Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant in 2020 for the project that culminated in the 2023 album “Dreams, Visions, and Illusions.”[1][2] In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Finzer became the inaugural Professor of Jazz Trombone at the University of North Texas in 2018, underscoring his growing impact as an educator and mentor to emerging trombonists.[2]

Stylistically, Finzer combines a deep command of bebop and post-bop language with contemporary harmonic and rhythmic ideas, often drawing on narrative and conceptual themes in his albums.[2][3] His bold, focused trombone sound and tightly crafted arrangements reflect the influence of J.J. Johnson and the Ellington/Strayhorn legacy while embracing the sonic possibilities of 21st‑century jazz.[1][3][4] This connection is most explicit in his 2024 album “Legacy,” recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio with Johnson’s longtime collaborators Renee Rosnes, Rufus Reid, and Lewis Nash, which pays tribute not only to Johnson’s trombone virtuosity but also to his work as a composer and arranger.[1][2][4] As a label founder and entrepreneur aligned with the Outside in Music collective, Finzer has also contributed to building platforms for other modern jazz artists, further extending his influence on today’s jazz landscape.[1][3] His ongoing projects—including his sextet Hear & Now, the Nick Finzer Quartet, his big band, and the Brass Orchestra collaboration celebrating J.J. Johnson—position him as a central figure in shaping the future of jazz trombone.[1][4]

Fun Facts

• Nick Finzer is the son of internationally known flutist Sherry Finzer, and grew up surrounded by music before choosing the trombone as his primary instrument.[5]
• Wycliffe Gordon was so impressed with Finzer as a young player that he wrote four original pieces specifically for him while Finzer was still a student at the Eastman School of Music.[3][5]
• Finzer’s decision to become a jazz musician was sparked by playing Duke Ellington’s music in a community big band connected to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington program during his teenage years in Rochester.[3][5][6]
• He made history in 2018 by becoming the inaugural Professor of Jazz Trombone at the University of North Texas, one of the world’s most respected jazz education programs.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Wycliffe Gordon - Life-long mentor; encouraged Finzer’s development as a jazz trombonist and wrote original pieces for him while he was a student. (Four pieces Gordon wrote for Finzer during his time at the Eastman School of Music (titles not publicly specified).) [Early 2000s onward[3][5]]
• Steve Turre - Primary trombone mentor during Finzer’s master’s studies at Juilliard, shaping his professional sound and approach. (Guidance during Juilliard years; Finzer later performed with Turre in various New York jazz contexts.) [Mid-to-late 2000s[3]]
• Duke Ellington (influence) - Ellington’s music, first encountered through Eastman’s pre-college big band and the Essentially Ellington program, inspired Finzer to pursue jazz seriously. (Rehearsal and performance of Ellington big-band repertoire in the Essentially Ellington-related ensemble.) [Teen years in Rochester, pre-college[3][5][6]]
• J.J. Johnson (influence) - Primary stylistic and historical influence; Finzer has dedicated extensive work to studying and promoting Johnson’s trombone legacy. (Album “Legacy” (2024); The Brass Orchestra project featuring music from Johnson’s “Perceptions” and “Poem for Brass.”) [Ongoing influence since early trombone studies; explicitly highlighted around Johnson’s centennial in 2024[1][4]]

Key Collaborators

• Lucas Pino - Longtime collaborator; saxophonist and bass clarinetist in Finzer’s Hear & Now sextet and leader of the No Net Nonet, in which Finzer has also performed. (Nick Finzer’s Hear & Now albums including “Exposition” (2013) and “Dreams, Visions, and Illusions” (2023); Lucas Pino’s No Net Nonet performances.) [Circa 2013–present[1][3][4]]
• Glenn Zaleski - Pianist in Finzer’s Hear & Now sextet, contributing to the group’s signature modern post-bop sound. (Albums with Hear & Now including “Exposition” and “Dreams, Visions, and Illusions.”) [Circa 2013–present[1][4]]
• Alex Wintz - Guitarist in the Hear & Now sextet, a core voice in Finzer’s small-group recordings and live performances. (Hear & Now albums such as “Dreams, Visions, and Illusions.”) [Circa 2013–present[1][4]]
• Dave Baron - Bassist in Hear & Now; central rhythm-section collaborator. (Hear & Now recordings including “Dreams, Visions, and Illusions.”) [Circa 2013–present[1][4]]
• Jimmy Macbride - Drummer in the Hear & Now sextet, helping shape Finzer’s ensemble sound over more than a decade. (Hear & Now albums, notably “Dreams, Visions, and Illusions” (2023).) [Circa 2013–present[1][4]]
• Renee Rosnes - Pianist and former J.J. Johnson band member featured on Finzer’s tribute album “Legacy.” (Album “Legacy” (2024), recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio.) [Circa 2023–2024 for the Legacy project[1][4]]
• Rufus Reid - Bassist and former J.J. Johnson collaborator performing on “Legacy.” (Album “Legacy” (2024).) [Circa 2023–2024 for the Legacy project[1][4]]
• Lewis Nash - Drummer and longtime J.J. Johnson associate who joined Finzer on “Legacy” and has also appeared with Finzer in other settings. (Album “Legacy” (2024); additional performances together in New York jazz contexts.) [Mid‑2010s–2024[1][3][4]]
• Wynton Marsalis / Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - Finzer has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, connecting him to Marsalis and that ensemble’s Ellington-centered tradition. (Performances with the JLCO (specific dates and programs vary).) [2010s[3][5]]
• Ryan Truesdell - Collaborated through Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project and as co-creator of The Brass Orchestra project highlighting J.J. Johnson. (Performances with Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project; The Brass Orchestra program featuring music from Johnson’s “Perceptions” and “Poem for Brass.”) [Mid‑2010s–present[1][3]]
• Bob Stewart - Finzer has performed in Stewart’s Double Quartet, broadening his experience in adventurous large-ensemble jazz. (Performances with Bob Stewart’s Double Quartet.) [2010s[3]]
• Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (modern incarnation) - Finzer has performed with the touring big band carrying the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra name. (Big-band performances on tour (specific recordings not cited).) [2010s[3][5]]

Artists Influenced

• Students of the University of North Texas Jazz Trombone Studio - As the inaugural Professor of Jazz Trombone at UNT’s renowned jazz program, Finzer has mentored a new generation of jazz trombonists. (Ongoing studio teaching, ensembles, and recitals within the UNT program (individual student projects not publicly detailed).) [2018–present[2]]
• Artists on the Outside in Music roster - Through his leadership role and association with the Outside in Music collective/label, Finzer has supported and collaborated with emerging modern jazz artists, influencing their recording and career paths. (Label releases and collaborative projects under the Outside in Music umbrella.) [Mid‑2010s–present[1][3]]

External Links

• Spotify