Nat Pierce

Nathaniel Pierce Blish Jr., known professionally as Nat Pierce (July 16, 1925 – June 10, 1992) was an American jazz pianist and prolific composer and arranger, perhaps best known for being pianist and arranger for the Woody Herman band from 1951 to 1955. Pieces by Pierce were predominantly created for use in big bands.

Discography As leader As Nat Pierce and His Orchestra Kansas City Memories (Coral, 1957 ) The Nat Pierce Orchestra – Big Band At The Savoy (RCA, 1958)

With Frank Capp Frank Capp & Nat Pierce: Juggernaut (Concord Jazz, 1976) The Capp-Pierce Juggernaut: Live at the Century Plaza with Joe Williams (Concord Jazz, 1978) The Frank Capp-Nat Pierce Orchestra: Juggernaut Strikes Again! with Ernie Andrews (Concord Jazz, 1982) The Capp-Pierce Juggernaut: Live at the Alley Cat with Ernestine Anderson (Concord Jazz, 1987)

As sideman With Louis Bellson Drummer's Holiday (Verve, 1958) The Louis Bellson Explosion (Pablo, 1975) With Ruby Braff The Ruby Braff Octet with Pee Wee Russell & Bobby Henderson at Newport (Verve, 1957) With Benny Carter 'Live and Well in Japan! (Pablo Live, 1978) With Al Cohn The Natural Seven (RCA Victor, 1955) With Freddie Green Mr. Rhythm (RCA Victor, 1955) With Coleman Hawkins The Saxophone Section (World Wide, 1958) Jazz Reunion (Candid, 1961) with Pee Wee Russell With Johnny Hodges Triple Play (RCA Victor, 1967) With Joe Newman All I Wanna Do Is Swing (RCA Victor, 1955) Salute to Satch (RCA Victor, 1956) Counting Five in Sweden (Metronome, 1958) With Specs Powell Movin' In (Roulette, 1957) With Paul Quinichette For Basie (Prestige, 1957) Basie Reunion (Prestige, 1958) Like Basie! (United Artists, 1959) With Buddy Tate Unbroken (MPS, 1970) With Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson Clean Head's Back in Town (Bethlehem, 1957)

As arranger With Count Basie The Count! (Clef, 1952 ) Dance Session Album #2 (Clef, 1954) With Bob Brookmeyer Kansas City Revisited (United Artists, 1958) With Woody Herman Woody Herman–1963 (Philips, 1963) With Quincy Jones The Birth of a Band! (Mercury, 1959)