Afro Cuban Jazz Innovators

Bassist Nick Moran is a veteran of Madison’s music scene and has been performing for over 20 years. A prolific bassist on both electric and the double bass, Nick regularly performs a diverse roster of musical genres including Jazz, Afro Latin, Hip Hop, Reggae, Funk, and more.

As a student UW-Eau Claire, Nick studied under the legendary bass educator Dr. James Clute of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. During that time, he had the honor of studying briefly with maestro Orlando ‘Cachaito’ Lopez of the famous Buena Vista Social Club. Nick Moran completed his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in 2004.

Nick Moran has toured internationally and performed with a diverse collection of internationally renowned acts, including Ben Sidran, Lee ‘Scratch‘ Perry, Clyde Subblefield, David ‘Fathead‘ Newman (Ray Charles’ sax player), Ana Laan, cajón ambassador Juan ‘Cotito’ Medrano (Susana Baca, Novalima), dance hall pioneers Chaka Demus and Pliers, and hip hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc. In 2001, Nick was honored to record and perform with master of afro cuban percussion and Grammy Award winner Roberto ‘Vizcaino” Guillot.

Nick Moran’s current projects include the Golpe Tierra, Phat Phunktion, El Clan Destino, Madisalsa, and The New Breed. Nick has also worked with such notable Madison music institutions as Natty Nation, Harmonious Wail, The Gomers, Tony Casteneda, Anna Laube, Joy and the Boy, and The Tim Whalen Nonet.

As a freelance bassist, Nick Moran has recorded countless tracks and albums for a diverse roster of artists including Gerri DiMaggio, UW Music Professor Les Thimmig, Hip Hop performers DLO, Stink Tank, and Man Mantis, Clyde Stubbelfield, Hanah John Taylor, and Reggae giants Natty Nation. Nick’s playing can also be heard in various Afro Cuban, Hip Hop, R&B and Funk loop libraries from Sony Music and Apple. In 2009, Nick was featured on the ‘What it is- ‘70’s Analog Funk’ loop library which gained critical acclaim and is still one of Sony Music Software’s top selling products.

In addition to his music career, Moran also works as a production and development consultant for the Greater Madison Jazz Consortium, A non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the local jazz scene. In 2014, Nick was awarded ‘Jazz Personality of The Year’ at The Isthmus Jazz Festival by mayoral proclamation.

In 2016, Nick joined the faculty of The University of Wisconsin Madison Mead-Witter School of Music as the Jazz Bass Instructor.

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