Nathan Kamal is a violinist and composer whose work combines the warmth and precision of chamber music with the explosive spontaneity of improvisation.

​

Nathan’s compositions, arrangements, and improvised works draw from the people and sounds of his native Philadelphia and adopted home, New York City. An instrumentalist-turned-composer, Nathan shapes his compositions to highlight the artistry of the specific performers and improvisers in his community who play them.

 

Interdisciplinary and multi-media work feature prominently in Nathan’s practice as a composer, most notably in the form of an ongoing series of live film scores for chamber ensembles. Recent premieres include live scores for the Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (commissioned 2016, Mannes College of Music) and Georges Méliès’ 1904 silent film The Impossible Voyage (commissioned 2018, Howl Performance Series). 

​

Recent performances by Nathan include the Bern International Jazz Festival, SFMOMA, the Composers Now Festival, Northside Festival Williamsburg Walks, and Winter Jazzfest. He also performs frequently in New York City and across the country with his improvising string quartet, Stratus Quartet. 

 

In 2017, Nathan graduated with honors from the New School's dual-degree program at the School of Jazz and Eugene Lang College.

 

Nathan is a frequent contributor to recording projects, merging his expertise as an improviser and arranger. Nathan works closely with producers, songwriters, and composers to elevate their recordings with rich, layered string arrangements and his instrument’s distinctive shimmer.