Arranging
The New Alchemy Jazz Orchestra
NAJO begun as a rehearsal band in Brooklyn. Danny Jonokuchi, Steve Kortyka, John Lake and myself rented out Ibeam rehearsal studio and brought a couple charts for our friends to sightread. That first rehearsal has led to countless other compositions and arrangements, commissions, a studio recording, performances backing jazz heavyweights Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts and Peter Bernstein, performances at The Cutting Room, Birdland Jazz Club and a residency at The Django.
I’m very proud of what this band has been able to accomplish. Co-leading a band with Danny, Steve and John has brought so much joy to my life, and writing for the incredible musicians in NAJO is literally a dream come true for a composer.
Personell:
Alto - Steve Kortyka
Alto - Andrew Gould
Tenor - Sam Dillon
Tenor - Jeremy Powell
Bari Sax - Andy Gutauskas
Trumpets - John Lake
Mike Sailors
Trombones - Rob Edwards
Piano - Miki Yamanaka
Bass - Dylan Shamat
Drums - Andy Watson