Ted Nash is well on his way to becoming a household name. Already widely celebrated as a star sideman for artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Mel Lewis, the visionary saxophonist is quickly claiming the spotlight for himself. Described by The Washington Post as "neither a poster boy for the avant-garde nor a blinders-on traditionalist.," Nash is gaining renown for his daring disregard of musical boundaries coupled with exceptional technique.

Nash first stepped to the forefront with his 1999 release "Rhyme and Reason" (Arabesque). The album featured his Double Quartet, an unlikely union of jazz quartet and classical string quartet, and was selected as one of that year's best releases by Jazz Times . His second Arabesque CD, "Sidewalk Meeting", featured his group Odeon. The bold musical sound and unusual instrumentation of the band (clarinet, accordion, tuba and violin.but no piano) captured the imaginations of the critics. The album landed on several year-end "top ten" lists for 2001, including the New York Times , Village Voice , Boston Globe and New York Newsday , as well as the 2002 Downbeat Critics Poll for Best Jazz CD.

His latest solo CD, "Still Evolved", continues this love affair with the critics. Released in May of 2003 on Palmetto Records, the album quickly rose to the top of both the Jazz Week and CMJ jazz charts and has garnered countless rave reviews, including those in Downbeat , The Washington Post and Jazz Times .

"Still Evolved" melds two of Nash's divergent outside endeavors into one cohesive unit. The group's rhythm section consists of drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Ben Allison, and pianist Frank Kimbrough - all members of the Jazz Composers Collective, a progressive organization dedicated to advancing music through original works, for which Nash is composer-in-residence. Alternating tracks feature trumpeters Marsalis and Marcus Printup, whom Nash performs with in the more traditionally rooted Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

A second-generation musician (both his father and uncle are well known Los Angeles studio and jazz musicians), Nash began playing the piano at age seven. By the time he reached high school, he had mastered the clarinet, alto sax, and tenor sax. At age 16, he began his professional career, playing a week in Hawaii with legendary vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. That same year, he won an audition to play lead alto with the Quincy Jones Band. By age seventeen, Nash had toured Europe, appeared on three records and was performing regularly with Don Ellis, Louis Bellson, and Toshiko Akiyoshi as well as with his own quintet.

At age 18, Nash moved to New York City. Soon after, he was signed to the Concord Jazz label and recorded "Conception", his first album as leader. Within the next few years, he became a regular member of the Gerry Mulligan Big Band, the National Jazz Ensemble, and the Mel Lewis Orchestra.