Hailed as a “Rising Star” in the world of jazz (DownBeat Critics Poll), Nick Finzer is making waves in the music industry with his dynamic original compositions and
trombone artistry. Finzer has toured the globe as a bandleader and shared the stage
with some of the most respected names in jazz. As both a headlining trombonist and
an entrepreneur, Finzer is on a mission to spread the joy and power of jazz.
Finzer's love for jazz began in his childhood when he became captivated by the music
of Duke Ellington. This passion led him to participate in the annual Essentially Ellington
competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center, inspiring him to follow his dreams of moving
to NYC to pursue a life in music. Finzer went on to study at the renowned Eastman
School of Music and then The Juilliard School, where he was mentored by trombone legend
Steve Turre.
A highlight of Finzer’s recent accolades include a Grammy nomination with Anat Cohen's Tentet, being named
"Rising Star Trombonist'' in the Downbeat Magazine 2020 Critics Poll, and topping
the JazzWeek Charts with “Legacy” for three consecutive weeks in June of 2024. As
a bandleader, Finzer has released eight critically acclaimed albums, garnering features
in the industry’s top publications. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious New Jazz
Works grant from Chamber Music America, resulting in his album “Dreams, Visions, Illusions” (2023).
Finzer's talent and dedication to the craft have not gone unnoticed by his peers in
the industry. Wycliffe Gordon, who mentored Finzer early in his career, has called
him "a new voice [in] the pantheon of upcoming trombone greats in the making." In
addition to his headliner performances, Finzer has also had the opportunity to perform
with jazz heavyweights such as Wynton Marsalis, Anat Cohen, Dafnis Prieto, and Ryan
Truesdell's Gil Evans Project. In his international touring, Finzer has played at
legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, the Bimhuis, Birdland, the Blue
Note, and the SF Jazz Center.
As a visionary in the world of music, Nick Finzer brings a unique perspective to the
table as both a record label founder, producer, and a respected consultant in music
entrepreneurship. Finzer has made a significant impact on the jazz industry by founding
Outside in Music (OiM), an artists-focused record label and media company featuring
some of the genre’s rising stars around the world.
As a result of his artistry and innovation, Nick Finzer has become a highly sought-after
authority in jazz trombone and education. In 2018, Nick Finzer made history as the
inaugural Professor of Jazz Trombone at the prestigious jazz program at the University
of North Texas. As a leading figure in the world of jazz, Finzer brings a wealth of
experience and expertise to the university, having previously served as a Visiting
Professor of Jazz Trombone at Florida State University, a sabbatical replacement at
Hunter College, and at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Academy. Finzer has also made
a name for himself as an author and educator, sharing his wealth of knowledge in jazz
education and music business with the world through his wide breadth of books, masterclasses,
courses, and active YouTube channel.
As someone who consistently strives to propel his musical ideas forward, Finzer’s
latest album, "The Jazz Orchestra Volume 1” presents Finzer’s original music in a
new large ensemble setting, releasied August 22, 2025. With his never-ceasing drive
to evolve his artistry and innovate within the music industry, Finzer continues to
inspire and impact musicians and audiences around the globe.
Nick is an artist for Conn-Selmer Inc. and plays a King 3B+ Trombone.
