Tenia Renee Nelson

Interview by David R. Navarro

David R. Navarro: Tell us about yourself.

Tenia Renee Nelson: Wife to Tim. Momma to Thelonious. Doggie Momma to Snowball. Pianist. Percussionist. Arranger and Composer, Educator. Dreamer.

DN: How long have you been in the music industry?

TN: Since I was 18 years old. I am 40 now. So, 22 years now. Crazy!

DN: What made you decide to be serious about music.

TN: I just had mad LOVE for it. Since I was eleven years old. Since then I wanted to do NOTHING but music. Music is ME!

DN: Tell us about the different groups that I play in.

TN: I am so lucky to play with so MANY talented and wonderful people.! As of now I play with 4 different bands! I play with Spherio which is a Thelonious Monk tribute band which consists of Me on the piano, Bob Songster on Bass and Andreas Schmid on Drums. I play with Tenia Nelson Trio (TNT!) which consists of me on the keys, Brendan O’Donoghue on Bass and Alex Tripp on Drums, I play with Brass and Gold Society which consists of Ben Fausch, Randy Runyan, Ill Se7en (Michael Acuna), Michael Windham, Ryan Sargent, myself on keys, Aaron Summerfield and Alex Tripp. Last but not least I play with Jon Romero and Amancer which consists of Jon Romero, Eric Jordan, myself, Jorge Lopez, Skip Lynch, Ponch Wanczyk, Frank Ayala, Jon Hines and Donna De Vine.

DN: Which people or books have had the most influence on your music career and why?

TN: So many people to name. Mary Lou Williams, Patrice Rushen, Shelia E, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Benny Green, Miles Davis. These people are music royalty and I have looked up to them since I was little.

DN: What would you say is the #1 key to success in the Music Industry?

TN: Just do it! I feel like if you just get yourself out there then you might just have a shot. For the longest time I was pretty dang shy and was worried about what people would think of me. Within the last 5 years I told myself, “Just DO it!!!!”

DN: Can you give us some examples of things you are doing or have done to expand your fanbase?

TN: I have been posting videos of myself playing on Facebook and on IG. You just never know who is watching. One day I had Herbie Hancock “like” one of my videos on IG and that was INSANE!!! LOL!!

DN: Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?

TN: I am ALWAYS failing as a musician....true story. Gosh.....why are we LIKE this?? As we fail we need to pick ourselves up and do the damn thing! I am ALWAYS working on being a better ME every single day!

DN: What advice can you give other young men and women who want to follow in your footsteps?

Just do it!! Forget about your haters and just “Do you!!!!” If you like it then “Okay!” Yeah!

DN: What does a typical day in your week look like?

TN: Mommying, Wifeing, Teaching, Creating, Playing. Sometimes in a different order....ha!

DN: What keeps you going when things get tough in the business?

TN: My family. My students, My friends. They keep me going ALL THE TIME!! Thank God for them for reals! Word!

DN: Please list your website and/or your social media platforms.

TN: Website: teniareneenelson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dynomitetenianelsontrio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spheriojazz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenianelsonjazz/