Robert Nelson Quintet: A Tribute to the American Classics
Robert Nelson – vocalist
Robert Nelson is a celebrated American Rhythm & Jazz artist with a dynamic voice and genre-spanning style. He has headlined prestigious venues including the Apollo Theater in Harlem, The National Blues Museum, The Fox Theatre, Jazz St. Louis, The Sheldon Concert Hall, The Grandel Theatre, BB’s Jazz Blues and Soups, Blue Strawberry Showroom & Lounge, The Chase Park Plaza Lounge, and The Dark Room.
As frontman of The ROBERT NELSON Experience, he leads a powerhouse ensemble of some of St. Louis’ most sought-after musicians. Together, they deliver genre-defying performances that blend jazz, bebop, blues, soul, bossa nova, and contemporary pop.
Robert has starred in stage productions of A Few Good Men, The Wiz, and Dreamgirls, and is a recipient of the Wings Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance in John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation.
Dr. Robert Nelson is also the Executive Director of the National Blues Museum, and a leading advocate for cultural preservation and creative education.
Antonio Foster – pianist
Antonio Poster is a piano accompanist, bandleader, and jazz musician. Born in 1995, he was inspired by his grandmother, who was a church pianist. At the age of 9 he studied piano with Charles R. Asbury and started jazz piano at 13. Throughout his career Foster has played for churches and jazz groups, produced an album, and currently teaches piano at the Youth Technology Arts Center. Antonio is a student at Lincoln College and plans to finish his undergraduate degree at Northern Illinois University.
John King – bassist
In any discussion of the music scene in the St. Louis area, it would be almost impossible not to mention the bass work of John King. A native of East St. Louis, his musical talent has grown and matured to make him a standout among his peers.
With some background and training on the upright bass, King feels his electric bass playing is often more suited for the majority of his gig engagements. He draws his influence from bass greats and other musicians too numerous to name here.
He has shared the stage with some of the best local talent and national artists. Ali Woodson and Theo Peoples of the Temptations, Ben Tankard, Barbara Carr, David Garfield, David Peaston, Russel Gunn, Keon Harold, Ramsey Lewis, Pat Liston of Mama’s Pride, Alex Ligertwood, Andre Delano, Lynn Fiddmont, Larry Coryell, Cyrus Chestnut, two time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Terry Steele, and numerous others.
He currently performs with Denise Thimes, the dance band Boom and his instrumental group Good 4 The Soul.
Eric Slaughter – guitarist
Eric Slaughter was born into a musical family in St. Louis and taught himself to play the piano at the age of 3. He switched to the guitar when he was 14 and went on to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Eric has had a diverse musical career, recording and performing with a wide range of artists. He has collaborated with R&B/blues musicians such as Bobby Womack, Tyrone Davis, Little Milton, the O’Jays, and Ike Turner, as well as with Neo-Soul artists like Eric Roberson, Julie Dexter, and N’Dambi. Additionally, he has worked with contemporary jazz musicians like David Sanborn, Peter Martin, David Torkanowsky, Montez Coleman, Russell Gunn, and Maurice Brown. He has also collaborated with traditionalists like Jeremy Davenport, Jason Marsalis, and Harry Connick Jr., as well as with avant-garde musicians such as Charles “Bobo” Shaw, Lester Bowie, and Sirone. Throughout his career, he has extensively performed and toured in the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and Asia.
Guitarist Eric Slaughter is a high-energy performer dedicated to exploring the diverse rhythms and musical textures of the world. A performance by this artist is guaranteed to be exciting, inspiring, and unpredictable, and should not be missed!
Freddy Spencer – drummer
Fred Spencer was born in Saint Louis into a musical family. At the age of 2, he started playing drums at his church with his mother, who was the church organist. Fred has been a professional drummer for over 15 years, and is fluent in all genres. Throughout the years he has become one of the most sought after drummers for local acts, as well as visiting singers and musicians. He’s recorded with many local groups and has performed with national artists such as Theo Peoples, Tweet, Rahsaan Patterson, Keke Wyatt, Keke Sheard, Eric Roberson, N’dami, Amber Bullock, Julie Dexter, Tim Rogers and the Fellas, Duranice Pace and Denise Thimes just to name a few. Fred is currently touring with the Anthony Gomes Band.
Jason Swagler – saxophonist
Jason Swagler serves as an associate professor and Director of Jazz Studies at SIU-Edwardsville, where he has been on faculty since 2000.
As a saxophonist, Swagler maintains an active career recording and performing under his own name and as a sideman. He has shared the stage with notable artists including Joey DeFrancesco, Byron Stripling, Michael McDonald, Marilyn Maye, Cyrus Chestnut, Regina Carter, John Clayton, and Gregory Hutchinson, among others. He currently plays lead alto in both the Dave Weckl Big Band and The Jazz St. Louis Big Band directed by Victor Goines. Swagler is also an active arranger, with his work featured in the 2021 PBS Christmas special ‘A New Holiday,’ which included performances by Wynton Marsalis, BeBe Winans, and David Sanborn.
Throughout his teaching career, Swagler has guided numerous talented students, including one who was selected as the only American finalist in The World Saxophone Competition in London that year. His expertise has been sought in unique situations, including being contacted to provide a saxophone lesson to Heather Mills McCartney, wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney.
