Nathan Childers is a saxophonist, composer, educator, D’Addario Artist, and Yamaha Performing Artist. Since professionally performing at the age of thirteen, Nathan has become a high-demand woodwind specialist and educator in the Greater New York Region. He earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Jazz Studies and Afro-American Music and Classical Saxophone Performance while studying at the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Music degree with a major in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media from Eastman School of Music, and a combined Master’s degree in Applied Music and Music Teaching from Lehman College.
Nathan maintains a dynamic and involved schedule, which has included backing up Aretha Franklin at Jones Beach, recording with Dave Weckl and Mike Stern, performing with the legendary rock band Deep Purple, acting as an on-screen musician in the film series Daredevil, and instructing music students in the New York City region. Nathan’s high-energy style can be heard weekly as the lead alto saxophonist of the renowned Birdland Big Band at their sold-out shows at the Birdland Jazz Club, for which he has been a member for over twenty years. He has shaped a modern sound in lead alto performance with this band through recordings and hundreds of performances. Dan Bilawsky, reviewer for All About Jazz, noted “the melodically brilliant Nathan Childers… may be the best-kept-saxophone secret in New York.”
Nathan has performed and recorded with multiple Grammy and Tony Award-winning artists, performed at revered music venues, On and Off Broadway musicals, and appeared as an on-screen musician in several film productions. Notable artists he has performed and recorded with include Kenneth Ascher (Grammy and Academy Award Nominee), Randy Brecker (Grammy Winner), Funk Brothers (Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), Aretha Franklin (Grammy Winner), Debbie Gravitte (Tony Winner), Taylor Hicks (American Idol Winner and Grammy Award Winner), Michael League (Grammy Winner), Joe Lovano (Grammy Winner), Mike Mainieri (Grammy Winner), Vernon Reid (Grammy Winner), Catherine Russell (Grammy Winner), and Nicole Zuraitis (Grammy Winner). Nathan has performed at notable performance venues such as Beacon Theatre, Birdland Jazz Club, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Iridium NYC, Lincoln Center, Jazz Cruise, and NYC Town Hall.
As an educator, Nathan has conducted clinics, workshops, and presentations at various academic institutions and conferences. He continually works to foster musicianship in students from diverse backgrounds. He is currently a Performing Arts teacher at Yorktown Central School District. Nathan is a passionate educator supporting musical growth and leadership in all his students while maintaining a robust performance career.
