Jerry Nelson’s piano artistry has blessed tens of millions through such TV ministries as Crystal Cathedral and Turning Point. His knack for improvisation shows in every style from Jazz to Gospel to Classic.
After directing the same church orchestra for over 30 years, Jerry has felt a burning desire to share his talent and heart with a hurting world in the throes of crisis. His passion is to use music to rekindle that spark of joy . . . and to inspire hope in the many who seem to see no light at the end of their tunnel. And so, with God’s thumb in his back he’s bringing a wealth of experience as a recording artist, conductor, composer, arranger and pianist . . . to the concert stage and worship scene.
Internationally-celebrated concert pianist, Jerry Nelson, has established himself as one of the world's premiere performers, having performed on all continents (except Antarctica). He has teamed up with Dino and Anthony Burger, and accompanied such artists as Glen Campbell, Sandi Patti, Tom Netherton and Steve Amerson.
As a composer, arranger, conductor and studio producer, he has conducted orchestras from London and Tel Aviv to Nashville and Los Angeles. His creative touch appears on over 500 recorded projects working with sons Scott and Brad. His publishing and arranging efforts include several dozen original songs and over 5,000 arrangements.
Jerry's first "official" assignment was playing piano at age 10 in a small Minnesota church. He began his career in public school music also in Minnesota followed by over three decades arranging and directing orchestra at Denver First Nazarene Church. But today, Jerry and Rachel are focused on a full-time concert career.
Much of the proceeds of their efforts enable occasional trips to the Congo and Rwanda where Jerry performs concerts and teaches music while Rachel works with AIDS victims and coordinating micro-loan financing for the most impoverished woman with young families to feed. They also work with humanitarian programs including economical water purification and youth education.
An Evening to be Remembered: Watch this intro
After directing the same church orchestra for over 30 years, Jerry has felt a burning desire to share his talent and heart with a hurting world in the throes of crisis. His passion is to use music to rekindle that spark of joy . . . and to inspire hope in the many who seem to see no light at the end of their tunnel. And so, with God’s thumb in his back he’s bringing a wealth of experience as a recording artist, conductor, composer, arranger and pianist . . . to the concert stage and worship scene.
Since losing his first wife to cancer, Jerry married Rachel and, together, they are on a mission that has their arms wrapped around the world – particularly Africa where, with every opportunity, Jerry shares his piano concert ministry. Rachel’s particular calling is to develop peer groups to deal with the huge AIDS pandemic in Africa. The Nelson’s concert ministry on the home front, is the primary means of support for their mission outreach.
The journey that God seems to have carved out for Jerry Nelson, has certainly prepared him for today’s flourishing concert ministry. After a decade in public school music and an earned doctorate, Jerry was at a crossroads, having to choose between teaching college, playing piano with the Gaither Trio, or directing a church orchestra. As right as the first two options seemed, he chose the latter. That choice, however, did not in any way curtail his creative involvement on stage with other Christian artists such as Sandi Patti, the Gaithers and Ralph Carmichael. In piano concert, he has teamed up with such greats as Dino and Anthony Burger.