Nathan Tran Quintet

The Nathan Tran Quintet was formed during Nathan's musical studies at Humber College. The group consisted of Humber students and alumni: Nathan Tran (piano), James Griffith (alto saxophone), Steve Carson (tenor saxophone), Hiro Tanaka (double bass), Daniel Villarraga (drum set). This lineup was featured in Nathan's final recital and his final EP project consisting of original jazz compositions. The goal of the quintet is to realize Nathan's compositions, plus arrangements of American songbook standards and jazz compositions.

Nathan was raised in Saskatoon where he studied classical piano repertoire with Kathleen Solose, completing his ARCT certificate. He fell in love with composers such as Chopin, Bach, Ravel, Debussy, and Scriabin. He moved to Toronto to study jazz at Humber College and was taught privately by Hilario Duran and Robi Botos. He now performs as a sideman and leader, and gives piano lessons. His biggest influences in jazz piano are Barry Harris, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Teddy Wilson, Fats Waller, as well as modern artists such as Sacha Perry, Rossano Sportiello. His primary interests are in bebop and stride piano playing, the American songbook, and classical music repertoire.

The sound of Nathan's quintet with James Griffith and Steve Carson on saxophones is reminiscent of Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh due to the matching instrumentation, the players he has chosen for the group, and his method of arranging for the two horns. Nathan's compositions are highly structured while acting as a vehicle for the players' individual improvisational voices. They are rooted in bebop and swing styles, also taking influence from the colourful and vivid compositions of Canadian composers such as David Braid. Nathan has performed and recorded two pieces based on Chopin's etude: one for solo piano and one for quintet.