Paul Nelson (composer)

Paul Nelson (né Paul Eugene Nelson; 26 January 1929 Phoenix, Arizona – 11 April 2008 Providence, Rhode Island) was an American musician and composer. His compositions—in all genres except opera—have been performed on four continents. Growing up Paul Nelson was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 26, 1929. He attended public elementary school there, and graduated in 1947 as salutatorian from Phoenix Union High School. Career After high school, Nelson studied music, first at Phoenix College, then at Arizona State University in Tempe in the late 1940s. By 1948, he had composed and arranged works for dance bands, including the Earle Spencer Orchestra, the Los Angeles City College Band. Nelson served three years, from October 5, 1950, to October 4, 1953, in the U.S. Army, which included an assignment from October 1950 to June 1951 playing in an Army band and teaching the Band Training Unit at Fort Ord, California. From July 1951 to October 1953, Nelson was a staff arranger for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. During his last year at West Point, he also was Choir Director at the West Point Post Chapel and played piano in one of Post dance bands. After serving in the Army, Nelson