(New Age, Instrumental, Contemporary Classical, Chamber Music) The Piano Guys (Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson) - Collection: 8 albums + Singles (2011 - 2017), MP3, 160-320 kbps

Jon Schmidt
Classical style new age composer and pianist Jon Schmidt was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents were German immigrants with a taste for classical music. Schmidt performed in piano recitals at the age of eight. Before he was in his teens, he began to compose music of his own, could easily play "Mozart Sonatas," and had appeared on stage with his musician father often. Schmidt's classical training lasted for over a decade. At 16 the roles changed, and he became a piano teacher. He was in his early twenties when he turned his full attention toward a musical career. In 1991 Jon Schmidt independently released a superb debut album, August End. After signing with Aubergine Records, he recorded a sophomore offering, Walk in the Woods, in 1993. It was followed a year later by A Day in the Sunset, Jon Schmidt Christmas in 1997, and then To the Summit in 2000. The latter was released under Schmidt's own label, JSP Productions. "Heart of a Child," "Winter Wind," "Song of the Ocean," "Waterfall," and "Homecoming" are some of the inspiring tracks new age fans will find on Schmidt's albums. He also performs live at many major concert halls, and has worked with a number of other artists, including David Arkenstone, John Tesh, Kurt Bestor, Lex de Azevedo, and Peter Breinholt. Besides his wonderful albums, Schmidt also writes sheet music and music books, such as New Age Classical Piano Solos, Vol. 1.
Steven Sharp Nelson (born 1977) is a pioneer in “cello-percussion”—an alternative performance method that combines traditional, lyrical cello techniques with unconventional pizzicato and percussive technique. He was born and still resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. He began studying cello at age 8, percussion at age 12 and guitar at age 17. He has invented a new method of playing the cello that combines elements learned from each of these instruments.
He has studied the cello (still his primary instrument) under Ryan Selberg, Stephen Emerson, and John Eckstein. He obtained a degree in music from the University of Utah School of Music, graduating in 2002.
Nelson’s true cello career began when he was 15. He was recruited by Peter Breinholt to arrange string parts and perform with Breinholt’s band, Big Parade. Since then he has recorded on over 100 different albums ranging from folk & bluegrass to hip hop. He has also made his way as a solo artist. His first album Sacred Cello (2006)[1] was atop the Billboard Charts. He has since two more solo albums that have also received significant acclaim (Tender Mercies, 2008 and Christmas Cello, 2010)
Nelson is well known for his collaborations with pianist Jon Schmidt as The Piano Guys - most particularly in their mash-up arrangement of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” a YouTube sensation. Schmidt and Nelson perform regularly together throughout the United States and the world.
Nelson also teams up often with pianist Paul Cardall and has written most of Cardall’s orchestrations.
Nelson’s shared performance and compositions with pianist Marshall McDonald are also of note. Among other works, Nelson and McDonald have composed two symphonies together (Spanish Trail Suite, 2006 and Africa, 2008), the second of which was featured in the number one classical podcast in the world and was download over 30 million times.[2]
Nelson’s influences include Victor Borge, Bobby McFerrin, Peter Schickele, Yo Yo Ma, U2, Sting, and James Taylor. His trademark style is to always including parody, comedy, and musical “shtick” in every performance.
Nelson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Julie, have 3 children.
(Wikipedia)

Jon Schmidt: Pianist, Songwriter
Steven Sharp Nelson: Cellist, Songwriter
Paul Anderson: Producer, Videographer
Al Van Der Beek: Music Producer, Songwriter