Biography
Nathan King has maintained a career as a woodwind performer, jazz saxophonist and music educator in Southern California for several years. He has studied with some of the most well-regarded teachers in the business such as Gary Foster, Jeff Ellwood, Katisse Buckingham, Sal Lozano, Dan St. Marseille, Damon Zick and Chris Bartz and has shared the stage with great musicians such as Bob Mintzer, Bill Cunliffe, Bob Sheppard, Doc Severinsen, Nick Mancini, Wayne Bergeron, John Clayton, Gregg Field, Steve Houghton, Eric Marienthal, Walt Weiskopf, Joe LaBarbara and many others.
Nathan is a sought-after performing and recording artist. He performs in a variety of groups including The Mercy Stone, a multi-genre chamber ensemble, Bill Cunliffe's big band, "Bachanalia," Phat Cat Swingers and his own group, The King Quartet. He has performed at well-known venues including the Blue Whale, Catalina Jazz Club and Alvas Showroom. Nathan’s music has taken him around the world including to China and Hawaii. He was featured with the Hyperion Saxophone Quartet along with the CSUF Wind Symphony at the 2015 California All-State Music Education Conference. Additionally, Nathan was selected among hundreds of applicants throughout the nation to participate in the 2015 Disneyland All-American College Band. Most recently, he was honored the award of Best Saxophonist at the 2016 Reno Jazz Festival.
Along with being an active performer, Nathan is a top educator in Southern California area. He has a large private studio teaching saxophone, flute, clarinet and jazz improvisation. He holds masterclasses throughout the area, coaches at many public schools in the Placentia-Yorba Linda and Anaheim School Districts and holds a conservatory teacher position in The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program at Orange County School of the Arts. Nathan earned a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance with an emphasis in Jazz and Commercial Music from the School of Music at California State University, Fullerton and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach.