Jazz guitar with plenty of attitude.

3 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo, JAZZ: Cool Jazz

Show all album songs: Blue View Songs


Details:
Michael (SPIKE) Nelson earned his first guitar at age ten shoveling snow for the neighborhood. At the age of 12 Spike's father purchased his second instrument, a Sears Silvertone electric guitar. Spike played rock music in local bands until he was 16. Then a local dj turned Spike on to Jazz great Wes Montgomery. Listening to Canadian Sunset, Moonlight In Vermont and No Blues, Spike was hooked. Wanting to play like Wes, he would study everyday. Today, Spike still plays & practices with Wes Montgomerey records. Spike attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha taking music classes where he met somone with the same interest and desire to be a jazz guitarist, Billy Rogers. Billy of George Shearing group, the Jazz Crusaders, Bobby Lyle, and Joe Sample some of the jazz greats. Spike also attended G.I.T in Hollywood, California. Spike studied privately with Pat Martino, Jerry Hawn, and Billy Rogers. Hanging with Omaha native & world famous jazz guitarist Dave Stryker, Spike found Omaha to be a mecca of great jazz muscians such as, Calvin Keys, Buddy Miles, Preston Love, Sonny Firmature, Stempsy Hunter and Danny Papillia. Spike's music projects range from trio's to large horn bands, playing funk to jazz to rockin blues.
Spike can be seen gracing the stage with Matt Wallace, Richie Love, or Jorge Nila. Spike has been a mainstay in the Omaha Jazz Scene for years and is the featured soloist in various ensambles.
Spike won an award in 2005 from Songwriters USA in the instrumental division with the song "SIRRUS". Today Spike is busy in the studio and in the clubs not because he has to, but because it's the definition of the great guitarist he is.