Nelson L. Mills III was born in Houston, Texas. He has always been surrounded by good music, be it Jazz, R & B, Rock, Blues, Gospel or Classical. Mills began his career playing trumpet professionally at the age of 13. When he debuted with Tom Burton Quartet,at that time aHouston based Jazz group, Mills experienced his first real taste of playing the kind of music he had always loved. Mills father, Nelson Mills II played Jazz with the Conrad Johnson Band and many other local Jazz groups here in the Houston area. He was hooked. But, later he had the opportunity to play with other local groups as back up for Albert Collins, Effie Dropbottom and toured in Texas and Louisiana. In 1967-71 Mills joined the popular band, The TSU Toronados. This band was the creator of the million seller, "Tighten Up"  while backing Archie Bell & The Drells.  The Toronado had their own hits on Atlantic Records, "Getting The Corners"and "The Goose." They traveled and opened for many famous acts . The band played in New York at the Apollo, the Hemisphere Arena in San Antonio with Vanilla Fudge but, there are so many venues they covered it would take all night to list! This band, The Toronados split and became South Funk Blvd., featuring Allison Lewis or "Leroy!"  They toured as the backup band for Joe Tex & his Show and revue in many cities, shows, festivals, clubs all over the United States. Later, they moved to Alabama and worked the South for many months. Mills went on his own after leaving South Funk Blvd. Mills married Gloria Edwards and they lived in the Midwest. During his tenure in the Kansas City area, Mills worked once again in Jazz with The Horace Washington Jazz group. One of his most outstanding accomplishment was when he formed a church group for Rev Nelson Thompson at MLK United Methodist Church.  This band played Jazz before and after services. Featuring Norman Brown, Bobby Watson, Tim Baskin, Pam Baskin and his spouse Gloria Edwards.  Mills named the band Waverly Street.  This band opened for many concerts and festivals In the Midwest.  WSB opened the Kool Jazz Festival 2 years in a row in the Midwest as the opening act. Mills played in the Eddie Baker Jazz Band beside greats as Ben Kenard, Bud Johnson and many other Kansas City Legends closing the Midwest with fond memories and hope for the future. The call for home was too great, so Mills returned to Houston and joined Conrad Johnson Big Band, sitting beside his dad, Nelson Mills II.  In 1984, Mills joined the Ronnie Renfrow Big Band as soloist on vocals and trumpet.  He penned several charts for the band which are featured on The Renfrow CD,"It's About Time."  He is featured singing "Blue Rain" and "Can I  Love You More." On this same CD Mills is the co-writer with Gloria Edwards and Joe Hughes, "Better Think Again." He also arranged "Lil' Dog." His growing discography as an Arranger, Composer, Musician and Vocalist speaks for itself. Mills joined a Renegade band which was a spin off from The Renfrow Big Band when a smaller group was requested for weddings and private parties. Mills arranged over 60 charts for The Renegade's, Conrad Johnson, Ronnie Renfrow Big Band and The Calvin Owens Orchestra. In 1989, Mills arranged the"Texas Horns" for Joe Hughes sessions and toured with him State side and overseas. Later the band, "Renegades" became the Jazz group, "Bopmeister's" with Mills as trumpet player along with Mark Holter, Mike Nase, Tom Cummins, Mike Wheeler, Mike Sundjka and Ben Atkinson. They released their first CD, "Bopmeisters!"  The session was recorded in Austin Texas at Willie Nelson' s Perdnales Studio. Mills joined The Calvin Owens Orchestra when Calvin returned to Houston. He was the Music Director and they appeared on festivals and shows in the Houston area.Later, he joined the Chubby Carrier Bayou Swamp Band.  This opened a new style of music and arranging for this talented Musician. Mills co wrote several songs on their CD, "It's Party Time." Mills arranged all of the horn tracks for this session and their following release "Take Me To The Zydeco." Mills arranged this track for Calvin Owens first Big Band Zydeco on his release, "Stop Lying In My Face." During this tenure they traveled all over the States and overseas, opening for concerts and festivals.  Mills later, not wanting his wife Gloria Edwards to travel alone left the Zydeco band and In Singapore to was her Music Director and pianist.  Mills excelled so well on his trumpet that The Westin Hotel asked him to play trumpet and they added Michael Stanton from San Francisco to play keyboard.  Mills released his first Jazz effort "Nelson Mills Live In Singapore" to his discography. Mills, who will never be known to drag his feet when it is time to play joined The Grady Gaines Band. They released their CD, "Jump Start" in November of  2002. Mills, arranged the horns on all of the tracks Calvin Owens  ecently released his latest CD "The House Is Burning Down," with arrangements by Mills on "Don't Walk Away," Trudy Lynn as soloist and "The House Is Burning Down," Gloria Edwards, soloist. Mills will always be remembered by many of the people and musicians he touched because of his musicianship and his tremendous faith in The Saviour Jesus Christ. Whenever Mills receive compliments for his talent, he gives all of the praise and glory to God and thanks to Him!