Nathan Mills is a trumpeter/trombonist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally from Arizona and growing up in Southern California during the 1970s, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1976. Nathan attended the Armed Forces Music School, receiving one of the highest exit scores at that time. After a short assignment at 29 Palms California, he was selected for a new band stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana where he began assimilating the rich musical culture that is the root of American music.

Returning to California in 1986, he performed in many local bands before becoming a founding member of Big Time Operator in 1995, where he served as Musical Director, arranger, and lead trumpet. He produced the band’s first album High Altitude Swing and wrote two originals for the band to perform on TV shows Night Man and Push.

Leaving BTO in 2000, Nathan continued to perform in, arrange for, and record for many local bands and projects, including 18 years as trumpet and MD for A Touch of Class Music. In 2010 he joined Ghanaian dancer/singer/drummer Akayaa Atule’s Bolga Zohdoomah where he discovered the real roots of jazz, blues, funk, Afro-Cuban, reggae, and soul music that he has spent his life performing.

Channeling his experiences toward music education, Nathan taught elementary school band for Ubiquitous Music, and worked as a staff employee of MiraCosta College. With his assistance, the MCC big band and Jazz Collective won Downbeat magazine national awards 5 consecutive years. In 2015 Nathan formed a Jazz combo workshop group for ages 9 – 12. The Cool Cats received Outstanding Performance awards at the Oceanside Jazz Festival and Special Recognition from Monterey Jazz Festival.

Nathan holds an Associate of Arts degree in Music Performance from MiraCosta College, and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati.