Niel is a professional trumpet player and long time resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.  He has traveled around the world to perform or record with many great musicians including Seal, Gladys Knight, Jon Faddis, Louie Bellson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E., Fred Berry, the Fil Lorenz Soulkestra, Tommy Doresy Orchestra, Cab Calloway Orchestra, Bray, the Stanford Jazz Orchestra, Realistic Orchestra, and the Jazz Mafia Hip Hop Symphony.