ABOUT KEITH
Keith Nelson is a world-class musician and community leader. For over forty years, he has energized artists and bands, making exceptional music across the globe.
Keith loves God. He loves people. He makes unforgettable music.
Welcome to our site!
Instruments:
Electric bass guitar & acoustic bass
Artists Worked With:
Adam Levine, Andrea Bocelli, Andy Grammer, Ariana Grande, Babyface, Bill Ross, Charice, CeeLo Green, Chaka Khan, Charlie Puth, Chris Botti, David Cassidy, David Foster, Diana Ross, Dino, Dionne Warwick, Donna Summer, Fernando Varela, Frank Wildhorn, Gladys Knight, Jackie Evancho, Jordin Sparks, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, Kenny G, Kenny Loggins, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Loren Allred, Mary J. Blige, Melissa Manchester, Michael Bolton, Michael Bublé, Natalie Cole, Nell Carter, Ne-Yo, Paul Anka, Peaches & Herb, Peabo Bryson, Peter Cetera, Philip Bailey, Pia Toscano, Reba McEntire, Ricky Martin, Rod Stewart, Sarah McLachlan, Seal, Shania Twain, Sheena Easton, Steven Tyler, Sting, Susan Anton, Tori Kelly, Usher, Wayne Newton
National Tours:
Donna Summer 1983-1989, Nell Carter 1984-1989, Dino 1989-1991, Diana Ross 1991-1995, David Cassidy 2002, Shania Twain 2013-2015, David Foster 2011-present
Recordings:
David Foster, Andrea Bocelli, Donna Summer, Shania Twain, Sheena Easton, Dino, Peaches and Herb, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Will Downing, David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra, Steven Lee Group
Las Vegas Production Shows & Bands:
Disney’s The Lion King; Signed, Sealed, Delivered (featuring Chaka Khan); At the Copa (featuring David Cassidy & Sheena Easton); Donny & Marie; American Superstars; Gordie Brown; Jersey Boys; Clint Holmes; Wayne Newton; Folies Bergère; Lido de Paris; Frankie Scinta; Lon Bronson’s Allstar Review; David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra; NFL Raiders House Band; Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns
Current:
Keith plays bass for musical “Hitman” David Foster and the NFL Raiders House Band. He is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Musicians’ Union of Las Vegas; and serves his community as Worship Pastor at Anthem Community Church in Henderson, NV.
Music History/Education:
When Keith was eleven years old, he lived in Madrid, Spain on the Torrejón Air Force Base. His father served in the United States Air Force; and his family traveled frequently, living on base housing for much of his childhood. While in Spain, Keith discovered a love and a talent for playing instruments. Music fascinated him. His first instrument of choice was the tenor saxophone.
In 1973, his father was reassigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Keith’s family moved back to the states where he would continue his music education and eventually launch a lifelong career.
In high school, Keith played the saxophone in concert and jazz bands until Dr. Kay Jensen’s pop group (Sounds of the Sun) needed a bass guitar player. Keith volunteered to fill the musical void, and unbeknownst to him, stepped into his musical destiny. Eldorado High School purchased a Gibson Grabber for him to practice with. He had never played bass before, so the summer before his junior year, he locked himself into his room and practiced until he began to turn into a bass player.
In 1978, Keith attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on a saxophone scholarship. After his sophomore year, he switched his instrument of focus to the electric bass. Keith graduated from UNLV in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory and Composition and a minor in Education.
Fresh out of college, God Almighty blessed Keith with a world tour: playing bass for Disco Queen, Donna Summer. A divine catalyst for his music career, this tour was the beginning of forty-plus years of work in shows, gigs, bands, recordings, tours, television appearances, videos, and countless relationships with the skilled artists who make music. The story is still being written…
