Ian Nussdorfer is a student of music at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. Affluent in several instruments, Ian incorporates a plethora of genres into his music. At Vanderbilt, Ian studies with Jeff Coffin, a current member of the Dave Matthews Band and master improviser, saxophonist, and woodwind doubler.
Ian's compositional pursuits come in many forms; he is a frontman for the rock band The Badlands, with whom he recently released his debut EP, Still as Stone. He also writes music for and performs with Vanderbilt's top jazz combo, the Blue Note Combo. Ian plays both upright and electric bass in the Blue Note Combo, as well as tenor saxophone in the downbeat award-winning Blair Big Band. In 2023, Ian participated in the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship as the 1st Tenor Saxophonist for the Blair Big Band, where the ensemble was selected as a finalist. While concentrating on jazz on these two instruments, he plays bass in a gospel group at Lee Chapel AME church and has performed with folk/pop artist Amelia Day, showing his versatility across genres.
Ian gigs regularly in Nashville, playing all three instruments in his own jazz and rock concerts, as well as private corporate events. As the primary songwriter for The Badlands, Ian plays acoustic guitar and sings. He released his debut EP Still as Stone on August 23rd.