John Nastos was born in Portland, Oregon where he lived and went to school for eighteen years. While at Grant High School, he studied with local jazz luminaries Warren Rand, Gary Harris, and Thara Memory, among others.
During his senior year of high school, John enrolled as a part time student at Portland State University where he took classes under the direction of bandleader/arranger Charles Gray, drummer/composer Alan Jones, and woodwind-virtuoso/bandleader Rob Scheps. Also during that year, John frequently sat in with legendary Portland drummer Mel Brown and his septet at Jimmy Mak's on Tuesday nights. This provided an incredible opportunity for learning and growth while playing live music next to some of Portland's greatest jazz musicians. By the end of the year, John was subbing for Warren Rand on occasional evenings.
Besides the Mel Brown Septet, John has shared the stage with or recorded alongside the following Portland jazz musicians: Gordon Lee's Big Band, Rob Scheps, Tim Jensen, Gary Harris, Derek Sims, Kevin Deitz, Jeff Homan, Ezra Weiss, Dan Schulte, Drew Shoals, and more.
john! im sorry i couldnt make it to your gig last monday. i was playing with a swing big band. but i see youre playing in april at hollywood music center! i want to go to that. ill talk to you soon, let me know if you have some other cool gigs coming up and ill go
You sounded so good tonight, man. You're soloing is just wonderful. Keep meaning to tell you how much I dig the Jazzpdx site, too. nice one! You rock... till soon. D
Hi John, I'm sure we'll play again soon. I'm in Bangkok Thailand right now but headed home tomorrow. 4 days later I head out to Mexico for a blues cruise for a week then I'm back in town for a while so you'll hear from me after the beginning of feb. Take care for now and I'll talk to you soon, Steve
