Back when the musical group “Chicago” built Caribou Ranch Studios in the Colorado Rockies, Jerry paid a visit to the ranch. It planted, in him, a dream for a mountain retreat / studio primarily for Christian Artists. God orchestrated that dream and the result was Eagle's Nest where Jerry works with chief engineer and son, Scott, whose incredible talents have been put to work on stage and/or studio with such artists as Crystal Lewis, Legacy Five Quartet, the Cathedrals, and many more artists. Jerry’s other son, Brad, is very gifted, not only as a photographer, but also Artist Director in charge of graphics production for the studio. Eagles Nest is perched on a ridge overlooking over 10,000 square miles of pristine wilderness. Within easy view is Pikes Peak, Longs Peak (130 miles apart) the Eastern Plains and the Continental Divide, 80 miles to the West. Go ahead, run the math.

Producer / Conductor – Over the 18 years of its existence, Eagles Nest has been the creative nerve center for four to five hundred recorded projects. Many of the tracks Jerry recorded with orchestras from London and Tel Aviv to Nashville and Los Angeles. These tracks demonstrate Jerry’s broad range of musical tastes and ability to create a spectrum of styles from Jazz to Classical and Inspirational to Soul Gospel.

One of the products of Jerry’s extensive production was the founding of Clarion Sound Tracks, the oldest accompaniment tracks company in the world, with about 1,000 Christian tracks and some 200 pop / secular titles, all of which are available through eaglesneststudio.com

Arranger / Composer – Jerry’s arranging career began in the early 1970s. Since that time he has written over 5,000 arrangements for choirs / ensembles, orchestra and solo instruments. These arrangements are now available to every instrumentalist, whatever their ability, along with the accompaniment tracks and demos, which use random solo instruments. Scattered over the years are several dozen original songs, a variety of choral publications, three musicals and band collections like Nazz Jazz and the Jericho Brass series.

Concert Pianist / Recording Artist – Jerry has recorded no less than 20 CD piano projects. His keyboard artistry has been recognized around the world as he has performed on stage with Dino Kartsonakis, Neilsen and Young and Anthony Burger. His solo concerts have taken him to concert stages and churches on all six continents where his artistry demonstrates an incredible range of styles from simple hymn renditions to jazz, to robust, high-energy arrangements of great hymns. In recent years he has augmented his concert schedule which has become increasingly an extension of his passion for missions and a need to touch people where they live. His concerts achieve this goal through a balanced blend of humorous antics, well-designed, “uncanned” musical flow and a sharing of personal insights that leave his listeners not only entertained but enriched in spirit.

The product of Jerry’s years as a concert performer has been a number of Jerry Nelson CDs and, just recently, the addition of piano arrangements compatible with Jerry’s personal sound tracks which are now made available to all pianists.

All of Jerry’s CDs are available by visiting our product catalog. However, since his CDs vary considerably in style and background, the following description will help you become more acquainted.

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“The Jazz Project – Session I” – Jazz is one of those styles Jerry feels most naturally and it is the obvious genre in which to spread his ‘improvizational’ wings. So constantly refreshing you can never get bored. An all-religious cast of titles drawing from the styles of Dave Grusin, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck, Thelonius Monk, Andre Previn, David Benoit and other ‘monster’ jazz icons. If you like jazz, this one will probably stay in your player.

O Happy Day (a rendition that will blow your socks off)
Wayfarin’ Stranger / I Want Jesus to Walk With Me (Jerry’s signature jazz piece)
Let Us Break Bread Together (cool, background vocals)
My Father’s World (some Brubeck 5/4 polymeter)
Nobody Knows de Trouble I’ve Seen / Soon I Will Be Done Wid de
Troubles of Dis World (an old spiritual; smooth jazz)
Wade In the Water (another old spiritual that really gets down)
What Child Is This? (cool, Christmas piano / guitar arrangement)
Fairest Lord Jesus (more cool jazz from a very old hymn)
Blessed Assurance (the well-known hymn with Big Band swing)
Air from Suite #3 (very unique treatment for cello, oboe and piano; a sensitive treatment
of the J.S. Bach piece)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (a surprisingly energized arrangement of an old familiar
J.S. Bach standard; we think he’d find it cool – maybe).

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“Classics and Sacreds” – Some of the best Classical pieces interweave incredibly well with hymns right from your hymnal. Clever arrangements that move seamlessly between the selected titles. Features lots of piano with some orchestra. No vocals.

Rachmaninoff Prelude in C# minor / Upon This Rock
Fur Elise - (a fast section with drums, framed at both ends with more traditional, classical
feel)
Jesus Paid It All - (one of Jerry’s signature arrangements)
Reverie - (we think Debussey would be pleased)
Piano Concerto #1 by Tchaikovsky - (Probably the most-recognized piano concerto
which has become a classic signature piece in Jerry’s concerts).
Liebestraum / It Is Well With My Soul - (this dreamy Liszt piece marries well with the
Philip Bliss hymn).
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (both classical and contemporary segments)
Moonlight Sonata / Were You There?
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
There Is A Fountain
Piano Concerto in A minor (this brilliant Grieg concerto is well-known but never
wears out).

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“Quiet Times” – Originally recorded for cassette, the demand for this project has called for a re-release in CD format. This is Jerry at his simplest and best. Just piano playing 25 of your favorite hymns. A great feature is that the songs are continuously interwoven without any breaks.

Wonderful Peace / It Is Well / Hiding In Thee /
The Haven of Rest / Near to the Heart of God /
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go / At the Cross /
More Love to Thee / Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee /
Beneath the Cross of Jesus / The Old Rugged Cross /
Redeemed / All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus /
Open My Eyes That I May See / All the Way My Savior Leads Me /
Higher Ground / Nearer, Still Nearer / Close to Thee /
Draw Me Nearer / Near to the Heart of God /
Just a Closer Walk With Thee / ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus /
Softly and Tenderly

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“Upon A Midnight Clear” – A Brilliant and festive collection of classic winter / holiday favorites drawing from traditionals, cross-cultural styles and classics such as “The Nutcracker Suite.” Being totally instrumental, this tasty repertoire of titles will make for wonderful listening the whole year around. It might be Nelson’s best CD yet.

Russian Dance from “Nutcracker Suite” (this one flies)
Toyland from “Babes in Toyland”
Carol of the Bells (unlike any traditional arrangement)
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow (a vibrant African rhythmic undercurrent)
We Three Kings (unmistakable Eastern flavor)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Waltz of the Flowers from “Nutcracker Suite”
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
What Child Is This (a very tasty jazz treatment featuring piano and acoustic guitar)
I Wonder As I Wander (so nice that, by request, it was used on a vocal solo project)
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
O Holy Night (wouldn’t be complete without it)

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“Nazz Jazz” – a collection of Stage Band arrangements written by Jerry Nelson for 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxes and rhythm. The arrangements include a modest amount of solo work but not to the point where the band gets uneasy waiting for a chance to play.

Unlike many Stage Band charts conceived for and recorded by studio musicians, Nazz Jazz charts were originally written for and recorded by the Stage Band of Denver First Nazarene Church. Thus the ranges fall comfortably within reach and the rhythms very manageable. Purchasing the Nazz Jazz CD is a great way to enhance the performance by modeling the original recordings.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Blessed Assurance
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus / He Never Sleeps, He Never Slumbers
My Tribute
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Wayfarin' Stranger / I Want Jesus to Walk With Me
Just A Closer Walk / Close To Thee
Nobody Knows de Trouble I've Seen / Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles Of This World
Because He Lives

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“Mountain Rhapsodies” – Jerry’s love for the mountains spills out in this project – also a double-length CD of almost 70 minutes. Unlike most of his recordings, this one is entirely pop and lighter classics such as “Fur Elise,” but even the classics are contemporized by the use of special instruments and rhythmic patterns. For the project, Jerry wrote an original programmatic piece for piano and orchestra that dramatically traces the Titanic voyage from launch to ultimate disaster.

Chariots of Fire (a splendid piece brilliantly arranged and recorded)
Rhapsody In Blue (a perennial concert favorite)
Fur Elise (one of Beethoven’s favorite, with a refreshingly new twist)
Titanica (excellent program notes to help you follow the Titanic drama)
Love’s the Reason Why (one of Jerry’s most lyrical original songs)
The Sound of Music (a medley of best titles from the all-time favorite musical
including: The Sound of Music / My Favorite Things / Climb Every
Mountain)
Moonlight Sonata (Another Beethoven piece with a new twist)
The Impossible Dream
Lara’s Theme from ‘Dr. Zhivago’
On the Trail from ‘The Grand Canyon Suite’
Claire de Lune (by Debussey)
Carmen Meets Wm. Tell (a pleasant medley of these two ‘pop’ classical pieces)

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“Go To The Rock” – This CD is one of the most popular, partly because of its sheer length. The 17 cuts last over 70 minutes and include a pleasant mix of ‘piano only,’ orchestrally-accompanied pieces and even large 350-voice choir on two or three selections. The stylistic variety runs the gamut from jazz (Blessed Assurance) to Inspirational (Midnight Cry) to the widely-acclaimed “Jewish Medley” and a very inspired rendition of “Schindler’s List.” The titles include:

I Go to the Rock (nice ‘swing’ feel)
Upon This Rock
Blessed Assurance (with Stage Band)
Hiding In Thee (piano only)
I Love the Lord (from ‘The Preacher’)
Rock of Ages (like you’ve never heard it)
O, How I Love Jesus / My Jesus, I Love Thee
The Solid Rock (piano alone)
Country Church (straight ahead country)
This Is The Day / Simply Because of His Love
Jewish Medley (energizes audiences everywhere)
Jewish Homage
Schindler’s List (an unforgettable experience)
Reconciliation Song
God Will Take Care of You (piano alone)
A Mighty Fortress
Midnight Cry (ala Michael English)

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“Rejoice” – Joyful sounds including a good deal of stylistic variety. Some arrangements with piano alone; others with orchestra but no vocal background. Includes Jerry’s arrangement of “Jesus Loves Me,” an internationalized rendition as the song would sound in Nashville, the Caribbean, China, Russia, Switzerland and New Orleans jazz.

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (a signature cut)
No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
I Need Thee Every Hour / Near to the Heart of God
Jesus Loves Me (the “New International Version”)
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger / I Want Jesus to Walk With Me
(One of those signature arrangements that sneaks into most every concert)
How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours (mostly piano)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Rejoice In the Lord Always

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How to Order – Click here to go to Jerry Nelson’s CD page. Prices are $15 and decrease with additional purchases. $4.00 shipping regardless of size of order.

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“The Music of Life” Series – Jerry produced the sound tracks and played most of the piano solo on a series of CDs for Piano and Orchestra. Each CD is distinctive and unique as the titles indicate. The series includes approximately 150 songs. Not only great music – it’s a phenomenal deal. Purchase any Three Volumes (3 CDs to each volume) at $30 per volume and mail the 3 coupons to the supplier; you’ll receive the fourth volume FREE! The resulting net cost for 12 CDs is an incredible $7.50 per CD, plus shipping! Can’t beat that with a stick.

Volume I
Songs of Celebration – (the greatest church hymns of history)
Songs of Bill and Gloria Gaither
Songs of the Wildwood (older, vintage gospel songs)
Volume II
Songs of Love and Inspiration (‘Love Story,’ ‘Sound of Music’ and similar)
Songs of Andrae Crouch
Songs of Meditation (quieter, worshipful hymns)
Volume III
Signature Songs (songs that were big ‘hits’ on Christian radio)
Songs of Fanny Crosby
Songs of Christmas
Volume IV
Songs of America (Patriotic favorites)
Songs of Broadway
Songs That Are Forever (Huge, popular classics like Tchaikovsky’s First Piano
Concerto / Claire de Lune / Moonlight Sonata and many more)