Nathan Childers is a saxophonist, composer, and Yamaha Performing Artist.  This young musician is making waves as one of the strongest new musical voices of his generation.  Originally from Brandon, Vermont, Nathan has been playing the saxophone since he was ten years old.  The son of jazz trumpeter and educator Gene Childers, Nathan began his musical study as a pianist at the age of seven.  Jazz could always be heard in the Childers home. As a young musician, Nathan started playing professional gigs by the age of thirteen.  He learned the ropes by tagging alongside his father as a side-man. Nathan credits much of his early training to the local Vermont musicians that helped nurture his love and understanding of music.  

Nathan holds a M.M. degree in jazz studies and contemporary media from the Eastman School of Music as well as two B.M. degrees from the University of Massachusetts.  Currently a resident of New York City, Nathan has begun to spread his unique style of contemporary jazz composition and performance.  His music is fresh and inviting with a wholesome blend of many styles of music.  As a student of Dr. Yusef Lateef, he has adopted many ideologies of this famed performer, composer, and educator.  His hope is to convey passion, insight, and most of all individuality.

As a performer, Nathan has had the opportunity to perform throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has been a featured performer and soloist with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Discover Jazz Festival, the River fest at Harvard, and many more.  He has also played several important venues such as Birdland, The Knitting Factory, Cornelia's Street Cafe, Symphony Space, Club Detour, Joe’s Pub, St. Nick’s Pub, The World Financial Center, UMASS (Lowell), UMASS (Amherst), Ithaca College, Middlebury College, and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.  His commitments as a professional jazz musician range from performance, composition, and education. Some of his accolades include four Downbeat Magazine awards for outstanding performance, the Hilton Head Jazz Society Soloist Award, and the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Award. Nathan was also a recent finalist in the ASCAP Jazz Composition Competition.  He has also worked with such musicians as Maria Schneider, Toots Theilmans, Bobby McFerrin, Manny Album, Molly Ringwald, Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live), Harry Connick Sr., Jim Mcneely, Lou Anderson (Birdland House Band), Will Lee (Late Night With David Letterman), and many others!

As a Yamaha Artist, Nathan teaches students ranging in ages from elementary school to the university level. He has taught lessons and classes at Amherst College, The University of Massachusetts, and the Eastman School of Music.  Nathan believes strongly in the educational qualities inherent in the art of making music.  Nathan currently conducts three of his own ensembles in New York City.  They include the Nathan Childers New York Big Band, the Nathan Childers Quintet, and the Nathan Childers Trio.