Inspired by lineage and cultural context, Nick Garrison makes music from a place of respect and reverence for the craft. Nick specializes in performing a wide variety of genres, from Straight Ahead Jazz to traditional New Orleans Jazz and Brass Band, Early Swing, Blues, Funk, Hip Hop and R&B. A classically trained crossover artist, he is equally adept at performing and teaching Orchestral repertoire and Chamber Music, having performed with organizations such as the North Carolina Symphony, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. As one who values perspective as wealth, his musical interests span a variety of genres and he is committed to communicating the music from a place of authenticity and integrity. Many artists have offered the guidance to “sing what you know,” and Nick chooses to perform and teach the music that he has a personal connection with.
As a bandleader, Nick fronts a jazz ensemble under his own name, where he sings and performs arrangements of traditional New Orleans tunes, deep-cut Jazz standards, and original compositions. Through research and preparation he offers honest vulnerability of the music as a Quintet, Quartet, and Trio.
While employed as a Lecturer of Trombone and Low Brass at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, Nick founded and instructed NOIRE, the New Orleans Inclusive Repertory Ensemble—a class dedicated to the musical traditions of the Crescent City. With twelve years of freelance performance experience in Louisiana, between Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette, Nick draws from firsthand knowledge to teach traditional New Orleans Jazz, Brass Band, Second Line tunes, and Modern Jazz compositions. Students of NOIRE focused on adopting an appropriate style of the music, understanding the roles of each instrument, learning melodies and arrangements entirely by ear and developing group improvisational approaches.
Nick’s self-purpose is fulfilled as an educator at the Collegiate level, and by working with after-school music studios, public school music programs, and elementary school private lessons. His philosophy of teaching is one of curiosity to shape the direction of lessons around the interests of the students, and shepherd them down a path that is in line with their goals and inspirations.
Nick presents masterclasses to universities, conferences and festivals on Freelancing for the Crossover Musician. A reflection of his musical journey through freelancing, this class acknowledges the need for musical inspiration, goal setting, networking, organizational techniques, and the importance of ear training through aural transcription.
The transparency of the chain—where the musical information is coming from, is of utmost importance to Nick. He has a Bachelor of Music in Brass Performance from Louisiana State University and is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Beyond music, he’s an advocate for social justice, a ceramic potter, a cocktail bartender, and a lover of nature.