Nathan Royal is a guitarist, banjoist, singer, teacher, and band leader based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Whether it's jazz, Gypsy jazz, old-time fiddle tunes, trad banjo, bluegrass, roots country, or an artistic blend of all the above, his music is deeply rooted in a love for acoustic music styles and traditions. A regular on the Utah acoustic music scene, he has performed thousands of gigs all throughout the state and beyond on stages big and small.

After graduating from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance, Nathan immersed himself in the music of Django Reinhardt. Traveling extensively through Western Europe and Canada to study with many of the greatest masters of the style, he brought the acquired skills home and put them to work with his band, Hot House West. Combining intricately arranged horns with the explosive virtuosity and beautiful improvisations of Gypsy jazz guitar, Hot House West has carved out a niche in the style “t​​hat is both readily accessible and deeply sophisticated.”

Alongside James Martak, Nathan is the original founder of Hot House West and has seen it grow and change from a band into the community-centered nonprofit that it is today. He runs the organization as the Executive Director and has turned his attention to transforming Salt Lake City into the greatest music city in the world!