Neilsen began playing the trumpet at the age of 8 and a few years later at 13 developed his singing voice. At 14 Neilsen was invited to perform as a featured solo artist with the Tommy Tycho Orchestra singing and playing trumpet at all major clubs throughout Sydney and at Sydney Town Hall, The Domain and Sydney Opera House.

1985 - Performed as guest artist at The Australian Singing Competition at Sydney Opera House and as guest artist on Young Talent Time Channel 10. Guest performer at Mo Awards, guest performer at SBS Business Awards.

In 1989 Neilsen completed his diploma in Jazz Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and went on to form his own jazz quartet.

1990 - Performed with own band on StarSearch Channel 10 and progressed to finals in band category after winning 5 rounds.

Invited to perform as guest artist on Tonight Live with Steve Vizard, Channel 10 several times. Also invited to perform as guest artist on The Midday Show with Ray Martin, Channel 9 and became a regular making more than a dozen appearances.

 Playing regularly with his Jazz Quartet in jazz venues and hotels across Sydney, Neilsen attracted the attention of Diana Ross’s promoter and was asked to open a hip new jazz club in Hong Kong where he performed for 3 months. On returning to Sydney Neilsen became a regular guest artist on several TV shows and was also in demand as a voice for commercials.

1995 - Began performing regularly with legendary jazz figure and member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers band - Dale Barlow and also jazz legend James Morrison.

1996 - Performed as a featured artist at Bangkok Regent Hotel as 3 month residency. Performed for King of Thailand

In 1995 Neilsen released his first album ‘Cool Jazz’ to critical acclaim and continued touring and performing across Australia and Asia at festivals, jazz clubs and TV and radio spots. Neilsen has since released 3 more albums: ‘The Good Life’, ‘A Beautiful Dream’ and his latest ‘Surrender’.

1997 - 2000 - Featured vocalist singing National Anthem at several international sporting events including Soccer Internationals and Test and One Day Cricket matches.

2008 - Embarked on National Tour performing at Festivals, Jazz Clubs and Performing Arts Centres across Australia including leading workshops at Universities. Toured nationally as backing vocalist for Helmut Lotti.

2009 - National tour as featured vocalist with James Morrison Big Band.

2010 - 2012 - Featured artist for P&O Food&Wine 3 day Cruises.

 

Recordings

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1990 - Requested to perform numerous jingles for TV commercials at several major jingle and recording studios.

Voice of Canon, Peugeot, Qantas, Channel 10, Holden Statesman, Thredbo TV commercials and many more.

1995 - Recorded first album - 'Cool Jazz' with Sydney's finest jazz artists including Dale Barlow, who also produced.

2002 - Recorded 2nd album 'The Good Life'

2005 - Recorded as featured vocalist on James Morrison Gospel Collection Vol 1

2006 - Recorded as featured vocalist on James Morrison Gospel Collection Vol 2

2008 - Recorded 3rd album 'A Beautiful Dream'

2013 - Recorded 4th album 'Surrender'

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Corporate

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Corporate clients include Aramis, Armani, BMW, Spring Racing Carnival, Victor Chang Charity Ball, Bollinger, Cointreau, Country Road, Hennessy, Perone Nastro Azzurro, Hendrick's Gin, Bulgaria Hong Kong, Cartier, Rolex, Mercedes, David Jones, Myer, Peugeot...

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Festivals

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Festivals performed include Apollo Music Festival Victoria, Darling Harbour Jazz Festival, Jakarta Jazz Festival, Sydney Jazz Festival, Bellingen Jazz Festival, Magnetic Island Jazz Festival, Jazz in The Vines Hunter Valley, Manly Jazz Festival, BroadBeach Jazz Festival Queensland, Darwin Jazz Festival.

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Venues

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Venues performed include The Basement, The Soup Plus, The Real Ale Cafe, The Blue Note, The Blue Beat, Bennett's lane, 'Round Midnight, The Judith Wright Performing Arts Centre, The Sydney Opera House, The Entertainment Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Hamer Hall Melbourne, Hotel Intercontinental Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Arts Sydney, NSW Art Gallery, The Four Seasons Sydney, The Hilton Sydney, The Westin Hotel Sydney, Crowne Casino Melbourne, Star City casino Sydney, The tank Centre Cairns, Toowoomba Performing Arts Centre, The Ellington Jazz Club Perth

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 Neilsen plans now to further his success throughout the burgeoning market of China and Japan and the festival scene in Europe where he has had several invitations to perform.

Neilsen Gough is one of Australia's most celebrated and accomplished vocalist/trumpet players and has been performing nationally and internationally  for 30 years. He has released 4 albums to critical acclaim and now is working on a new project of original instrumental compositions combining a live 6 piece band with sampled sounds and rhythms.