About

The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is a project sponsored by the Nova Jazz Corporation, a Twin-Cities non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting and developing the arts and, in particular, modern big band jazz.

The group’s “lab band” format encourages members to stretch their talents by composing and arranging material for the group. The albums are the outgrowth of that philosophy. Every piece is an original composition or arrangement which was created by the group’s members. From straight-ahead jazz to Latin and rock beats to unusual multi-meter grooves, the music on each album represents a wide variety of styles.

Nova wishes to thank all its members, both past and present, who contributed so freely of their time and talents to make the Nova project a success. Without that effort this project would not have been possible.

The Music

Fortunately for us, many of the compositions the NCJO performs regularly come from the band members themselves. Current members who’ve provided great music for the band to play are John Ahern (lead trumpet) and Bob Byers and Paul Peterson (saxophones), but another of the band’s assets is a long list of distinguished alumni who have added to the band’s library over the years. If that weren’t enough, the band also plays specially commissioned works by composers with a connection to our region and the world, including Dan Cavanaugh and Steve Devich.