About

Staffordshire based pianist and composer Nathaniel Coxon prides himself in his ability to turn any request or challenge into a polished performance. His classical training has given him an exceptional understanding of the mechanics of music, enabling him to play with all types of musicians, from all musical genres.

Influenced by icons like Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner, he is most passionate about jazz. Whether it is finding new ways to rearrange old classics to add his own spin, or spending hours practicing and perfecting techniques of improvisation ready to make each performance lasting and unique, jazz is the genre to which Nathaniel feels the greatest affinity. But while he loves nothing more than playing solo jazz piano in intimate settings, Nathaniel is equally effective in using his talents for a diverse range of other endeavours. He is happy accompanying solo singers and instrumentalists or being part of larger groups, playing anything from Motown and funk to modern rock and pop.

As an accomplished composer, Nathaniel understands the intricacies of ensemble performance and is an exceptional arranger, whether that is needed with plenty of notice, or in a last minute emergency before everyone is set to go on stage.

Then

Nathaniel has been playing piano and composing music from a young age. In his early teens, his talents were recognised and rewarded with the Philip Bates performance prize, along with numerous solo performances at the Adrian Boult Hall in various concerts. One of his most distinguished accolades came at just 17 years old, when he won BBC Young Composer of the Year. He was subsequently commissioned to write a piece for BBC Radio 3 which was played at the BBC Proms.

His skills went on to win him a scholarship to the Purcell School of Music, studying composition under Simon Speare and Alison Cox OBE. In this classical setting, he learned the art of improvisation, with this newfound freedom leading him to his ultimate passion of jazz. He continued to study music at King’s College London, playing jazz in a variety of settings whilst retaining a connection to his classical roots. Across London, Nathaniel has played in venues such as The Troubadour, Jazz After Dark and The Hideaway.

As well as performing, Nathaniel has gone on to complete numerous other composition commissions, including a fanfare for the Mayor of Hertsmere, performed at BBC Elstree Studios, a suite performed at the Charles Saatchi Gallery, and a piece for a fundraiser in London’s Conway Hall.

Now

Now back in Staffordshire, Nathaniel was playing regular solo jazz piano at various local bars, as well as performing at weddings and other events across the Midlands prior to the pandemic. He was also part of a five piece band, and arranged extensively for an eight piece band, including a three part horn section. Nathaniel was also starting to get involved in session work and enjoyed collaborating with other musicians to create music on the fly at open mic nights. With positive news of a vaccine rollout and the end of the pandemic hopefully in sight, Nathaniel hopes to resume all these activities as well as delve into many new projects in 2021.