June 28th, 2011
The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra has its June, 2011 performance tonight (the 28th) at the Shorewood Bar & Grill in Fridley. Remember, the music starts at 7pm, and we’ll play off and on till 11. Come on out — the Shorewood features great food and drinks, to say nothing of the enhanced musical ambience provided by us. We’ll see you there.
April 26th, 2011
Although it seems we’re getting most of the showers scheduled for April today, don’t let that stop you from checking out the Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra tonight at the Shorewood Bar & Grill. We’ll play lots of good, original jazz. Music starts at 7pm and continues off and on till 10. Come early; stay late. See you there.
April 12th, 2011
According to whoever establishes the official “months” of various ideas, causes, or things, April is jazz appreciation month. How to celebrate? Well, you might consider the suggestions listed here. Another way to celebrate is by checking out some rousing jazz for spring cleaning, namely Nova’s most recent CD, A Time of Reckoning. As we’ve mentioned here before, our Tops in ’10 recording is available on iTunes or at CD Baby.
And there’s more: The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra’s newest recording will be coming out in late summer. Stay tuned for further details.
Don’t forget: Nova will play the Shorewood Bar & Grill on the 26th.
March 21st, 2011
Nova would like to thank those who’ve augmented the band’s personnel while we performed Bill Mathieu’s music in recent months. Because of Stan Kenton’s predilection for expanded big-band instrumentation, your aid was absolutely necessary and helped give us the big sound everyone noticed at the Shorewood last month. (Of course, the writing might have had something to do with that, too). Thanks especially to Bill Mathieu himself: he paid us a fine visit, rehearsed us, and spoke to us about what he values in music. Thanks to everyone in the band — your rehearsal, performance and general hard work made the project possible and enjoyable. And our sound engineer, Matt? Special thanks to him as well.
Coming up this Tuesday, March 22, at 7pm, Nova is back at the Shorewood. We’ll be delving back into our regular repertoire, but as usual everyone can expect some surprises.
February 14th, 2011
For our performance at the Shorewood on February 22, 7pm-10, The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra will be welcoming a very special guest to town: Bill Mathieu. In the late 50s, when Mathieu was a young staff arranger for Stan Kenton, he composed and arranged what turned out to be an entire album’s worth of music for Kenton’s orchestra. The result was Standards In Silhouette
W. A. “Bill” Mathieu
Importantly, though, not all of the compositions Mathieu completed for Kenton were recorded by the bandleader. However, The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra will perform these 14 musical works at the Shorewood this month (Remember, it’s February 22, 7pm-10). As we mentioned, Bill Mathieu will be in attendance, so it’s a great reason to come out and enjoy the music with us.
Since his time with Stan Kenton, Bill Mathieu has led an expansive and varied musical career. You can learn more about him at his website, Cold Mountain Music.
Also, a good account of Mathieu’s time with Kenton and Standards In Silhouette
January 25th, 2011
The Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra will be playing the Shorewood Bar & Grill tonight! Although our special guest, Bill Mathieu, couldn’t make it over our way this month, we’ll still be playing a healthy dose of his original music and great arrangements. Join us! The music starts at 7pm, and we’ll play (off and on) until 10. Directions to the Shorewood are here.
January 9th, 2011
This is a special message from everyone in the Nova Jazz Organization wishing everyone out there a happy and prosperous New Year. We have exciting musical projects in store for 2011. Our performance at the Shorewood Bar & Grill is on the 25th of this month and will kick things off in a big way. Mark your analog and digital calendars! We’ll have a very special guest, so you’ll want to be there.
December 7th, 2010
We’re excited to say that Nova’s CD, A Time of Reckoning, made number 8 on Jack Bowers Best Big Band Albums of the Year:
“The ensemble is supple and swinging on every number, the soloists sharp if not spectacular. The rhythm section is unswerving, and Nova doesn’t overpass the value of color and dynamics … A Time of Reckoning is another sizable step forward for the Nova Jazz Orchestra, which continues to reap benefits from its stability and experience.”
You can purchase A Time of Reckoning at CD Baby or on iTunes.
November 22nd, 2010
Join us at the Shorewood Bar & Grill tomorrow, Tuesday the 23rd at @7pm for another evening of great big-band jazz. Beginning with our November outing, we’ll be putting special emphasis on the charts of Bill Mathieu, whose arranging talents are featured on Stan Kenton’s Capitol Records Standards in Silhouette album of 1959. Kenton, who died in 1979, would have been 100 next year.
October 26th, 2010
Once again, it’s time for the Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra to perform some great music (live!) for your listening pleasure. Sure, it’s a little rainy and blustery outside, but join us tonight inside the Shorewood Bar & Grill in Fridley. The music starts at 7pm.
On the fourth Tuesday of each month, the Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra performs at the Shorewood Bar & Grill in Fridley, MN. You can get directions here.
