Juan Nelson Archives

Bass great Juan Nelson has passed away at the age of 62. A cause of death has not been announced. Nelson is best known for his unrelenting grooves with Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. Harper posted about his passing on social media.

Ben Harper’s “Steal My Kisses” is one of those great tunes, thanks in large part to bassist Juan Nelson. Here’s Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals performing the song on Austin City Limits. Dig Juan’s solo around the 3:13 mark.

Regular readers here know we’re big fans of Juan Nelson. So hearing him back with Ben Harper (& The Innocent Criminals) is a thrill. From the band’s latest release, Call It What It Is, here’s “Shine”. We hope they’re here to stay.

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals crafted a new album after reforming for a 2015 tour, and now, the band, featuring the inimitable Juan Nelson on bass, is touring behind that album, Call It What It Is. The Call It What It Is Tour kicks off June 23 at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, and wraps up Dec. 4 at...

The inimitable Juan Nelson is back on record with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals on the band’s first album in nine years, Call It What It Is. The band, which reunited to tour in 2015, recorded the album in a number of sessions over the course of a year. The resulting record covers subject matter ranging from aging to...

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals took the stage at Morrison, Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre in September, and the reunited group brought out a special guest for one of their tunes. “It’s amazing when you can find your way as an adult to creatively collaborate with your parent,” Harper said. “So without further ado, Jeremy Nelson.” Jeremy is the son...

Ben Harper has reunited with The Innocent Criminals. Yours truly was thrilled when that news broke, because I’m a huge fan of bassist Juan Nelson (and Harper too). Here’s the group performing “Don’t Take That Attitude To Your Grave”. The footage comes from four different shows. Juan always makes things groove.

During one of the Bass Bass events during NAMM last month, Juan Nelson showed up. I went over to talk to him, mostly to ask him about the news about Ben Harper reuniting with the Innocent Criminals. Juan was pretty excited, but I believe I may have been even more. Here’s Ben & the Innocent Criminals performing live in at...

Back in April, Ben Harper reunited with The Innocent Criminals to record a song to benefit the family of Lewis Marnell. Marnell, an Australian pro skateboarder, passed away at the age of 30 due to complications from diabetes. Harper, a big time skateboarding enthusiast, re-recorded his tune “Jah Work” with the band, performing together for the first time since 2007....

I’ve been listening to a lot of Ben Harper lately. My favorite era of Ben’s is when he was backed by The Innocent Criminals – and specifically, by bassist Juan Nelson. Here’s a great segment of the band performing “Fight for Your Mind” with Juan laying down one sweet groove and soloing throughout (with some nice quotes). I’ve said it...

When I grow up, I want to play bass like Juan Nelson. He doesn’t have to play a lot notes. He just knows which ones to play. Here’s Juan backing up Big Advice, live on the Sunset Strip. I’ll say it again: Juan is the man.

Bassist Juan Nelson brings the funk in this live performance with Big Advice, live on the Sunset Strip.