About Me
Alto saxophonist, Ylonda Nickell, has shared the stage with many jazz and contemporary heavyweights, including: Sonny Stitt, Freddie Hubbard, Mose Allison, Robert Cray, Boots Randolph, Manhattan Transfer, Willie Nelson, Richie Cole, and many others. Ylonda has appeared at The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Russian River Jazz Festival, The Cotati Jazz Festival, Concerts-By-The-Sea (Redondo Beach), The Great American Music Hall, Yoshi's, and many other venues. Her numerous recording credits include two solo albums, ALTO LADY and MINNESOTA SAX, as well as other projects with Willie Nelson, Mel Graves, Holly Near, Mary Watkins, and others. Born in St. Helena and educated at CSU, Chico, on a jazz scholarship, Ylonda has been playing the saxophone since she was a child. She has been a jazz educator for many years, teaching privately, and in public schools. She has helped develop the talents of countless young musicians, including Eric Crystal. The late Martha Young was Ylonda's mentor, shaping her technique, understanding, and appreciation of jazz at an early age. It was Martha who taught her how to swing. Ylonda lives in the Bay Area, where she performs on a regular basis.
