Contact Me

• Email: carl.nilsen@hccs.edu
  
• Office: FAC Room #222

Biography

Master of Arts, Jazz Performance & Composition, New York University

Bachelor of Music, Percussion & Jazz Studies, Western Michigan University

Carl Nilsen has recently relocated to Houston by way of New York City where he performed and recorded with various jazz and contemporary artists to include Medeski, Martin and Wood; saxophonist Daniel Carter; and bassist Reuben Radding. As well, he played alongside various Broadway musicians with the rehearsal band of the famed jazz composer Dave Matthews. Aside from these experiences, he had also served as a percussionist for "The Commandant’s Own," the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps in Washington D.C., having performed for presidential functions, numerous dignitaries and heads-of-state.

Mr. Nilsen is also a recipient of two separate Irving S. Gilmore Emerging Artist grants, focusing on the history and performance practices of jazz drumming and non-Western percussion. He remains active researching for an upcoming publication.

Mr. Nilsen teaches applied percussion, music business, jazz improvisation, music appreciation, and the history and literature of recorded music in America at the Houston Community College, Central College. 

He has been a longtime student of Billy Martin and Billy Hart, and has studied with Judy Moonert and Jeff Hamilton.

Courses

• MUAP 1257 Applied Percussion
  

• MUSB 1305 Survey of the Music Business
• MUSI 1163 Jazz Improvisation I
  
• MUSI 1310 History/Literature of Recorded Music in America
• MUSI 1306 Music Appreciation

Links