Dennis Nelson - Hip Notic (2008)

Dennis Nelson grew up in a traditional southern environment, which was supportive and nurturing. His musical career began as a youngster in Mobile, Alabama, and during his summers in the Bronx, Dennis was drawn to the rich, rhythmic New York Latin groove sound, which became a major influence on his guitar style. Growing up with the desire to make music while other youngsters were playing games, Dennis was confronting the arduous task of daily music practice, not fully knowing that all of his sacrifices and dedication to his instrument would someday pay off in a big way. His professional musical career began to blossom while a student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He pursued his academic studies in music, honed his talents and proficiency on the guitar and earned a BA in Music. Becoming well-known as an outstanding guitarist, Dennis began touring with various groups on the college circuit and landed the guitar spot with Otis Day and the Knights (in the movie Animal House), The Temptations, jazz trumpeter Tom Brown and the legendary Ray Charles. With music education as the foundation of his professional career, he quickly advanced from playing music to writing and producing for major national artists. During his 8-year writing and producing collaboration with Otis Williams, Dennis, along with other top producers, was instrumental in the Temptations' album Ear-resistible, winning a GrammyВ© for Best R&B Traditional Vocals in 2000. His accomplishments also include writing "Hyperactive" for Robert Palmer's Gold/Platinum Riptide CD. As one of the hottest jazz guitar stars in the country, Dennis gets major compliments from his peers, and says Roy Ayers, Jr.
, "When you hear Dennis Nelson perform, you don't want to hear one more song, you want one more hour of songs." That unique Dennis Nelson sound earned him a nomination for his first CD Still Rollin' as the Best Independent Jazz Record of the Year in 1998. About his first CD release In The Zone, Norman Connors says, "Dennis displays some of the nicest arrangements of traditional jazz tracks with the hottest contemporary licks I have heard in a long time. Dennis Nelson has such a unique sound." His guitar fluency is in demand from coast-to-coast for concert tours, recording dates, clinics and personal appearances. He is also a featured artist on Hidden Beach Records' Unwrapped, Volumes 1-4 and T.H.U.G Jazz (The House of Urban Grooves). Nelson's' music has also been showcased on several UPN and Fox Network TV shows.