Born and raised in Washington DC, Courtney Nero has been engaged in the Metro area's jazz and gospel music scene for years.  

Courtney is a product of DC public schools; he graduated from Benjamin Banneker High School in 1989.  In the late 1980s, a Bobby McFerrin concert live at the Kennedy Center and the movie "Round Midnight," starring jazz saxophone legend Dexter Gordon, opened Courtney's ears to the jazz idiom and started a life-long journey in the music.  A foreign language major at Georgetown University, Courtney chased his musical passion through the GU Jazz Ensemble, GU Gospel Choir, Howard University's Residence Hall Choir, and courses at Georgetown and Howard Universities.  In Spring 1992, Courtney pledged the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity (Zeta Iota Chapter, Howard University).

From 1997 to 2007, Courtney played with the dynamic gospel horn section Mo' Horns -- a Baltimore-DC based group that traveled the country reviving "live horns" in gospel music.  Through this association, Courtney recorded, toured, or played with many gospel music greats, including Richard Smallwood, Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence, and James Hall (see complete discography).  In February 2000, Courtney participated (second tenor) in the  Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore) world premiere of "Song In a Strange Land," by the "Soulful Symphony," an incredible assemblage of string orchestra, big band, and gospel choir on the same stage -- an effort conceived and conducted by pianist/composer/conductor Darin Atwater.

In 2008, Courtney released his first solo CD, "Make Me Walk."  The CD was nominated that year for a Stellar Award in the "Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year" category.

What started as a basement jam session of northern VA-based musicians in 2015 grew into The Jazz Infuzion, an instrumental band that blends straightahead, smooth jazz, originals, and pop covers.  Courtney also sits in occasionally with the group Dreamsville, led by vocalist Jacqueline Francis.  He also is part of the dynamic smooth jazz and instrumental R&B band Common Ground Jazz, lead by bassist Tim Jones.  Common Ground pioneered “Jazzy Thursdays” at Della J's soul food restaurant in Alexandria, VA and the group continues to perform there twice a month.

As composer, Courtney wrote and performed an original composition, "I'm Listening," that serves as the theme song for "Frankly Speaking With Tyra G," a radio show broadcast on Radio Fairfax and hosted by Tyra Garlington. Courtney also has released singles via digital platforms since 2020, including “Alderaan,” “I AM A MAN,” and “Full”, a gospel original featuring Naomi Nero (vocals) and Asa Nero (drums).

Gear (for the gearheads):

Yanagisawa 991 Curved Soprano Saxophone/Soprano Planet S440 mouthpiece/Legere reeds

H. Couf Superba I Alto Saxophone/Theo Wanne Earth 2 alto mouthpiece/Vandoren Java reeds

Cannonball Vintage Reborn Tenor Saxophone/Wanne-Pillinger Slant tenor mouthpiece/Vandoren Java Reeds

Armstrong Baritone Saxophone/Geo Bundy baritone mouthpiece (3)/Vandoren reeds

For bookings and engagement/performance inquiries, email courtneynero@gmail.com.  Browse the website, enjoy the music, and keep in touch.