Andy Nevala

Review from "The Latin Jazz Corner"
"The development of an artist’s creative voice requires them to explore and integrate the many different pieces of their musical personality. Their primary influences need to be studied intently; this may involve the investigation of several different styles and their associated performance aesthetics. Then the artist needs to develop their own creative output through original compositions. Their ideas may follow established norms, but eventually they bend to the artist’s creative interests. While the artist focuses upon the primary genres, they occasionally need to step outside their comfort zone and experiment with other styles. This may not be their primary task, but it’s an essential activity that can only serve to stretch and challenge their artistry. After years of traveling this diverse territory, artists contain the insight to merge their interests and influences into a single distinguishable creative voice. Pianist Andy Nevala displays his strong and varied creative voice on Alone Together, with a solid set of Latin Jazz compositions and arrangements.
Creative Arrangements of Jazz Standards
Nevala focuses much of the album upon creative arrangements of jazz standards. Left hand rhythmic variations push Nevala’s interpretation of the melody on “Alone Together” over a songo rhythm. Electric bassist Matt Spencer displays a high degree of melodic invention, technical ability, and spontaneous interaction on his improvisation, creating a ferocious forward motion. Nevala plows through the song’s familiar chords with a variety of syncopated ideas that draw an active response from drummer Mike Marlier, leading into a strong montuno and an energetic solo from conguero Victor Neives. An up-tempo montuno over a staggered rhythm section introduces “Autumn Leaves,” transitioning into a nicely arranged reading of the melody. Nevala takes an aggressive approach through several choruses, while Spencer develops a short yet potent statement. After revisiting the melody, Nevala and Spencer present a spacious break, allowing Marlier extensive improvisational freedom. Spencer and Marlier establish a busy 6/8 groove while Nevala and trombonist Darren Kramer play the classic melody to “Caravan.” After a gorgeously developed statement from Spencer, Kramer uses a variety of moody sound effects and driving rhythmic patterns to inspire avid interaction from the band. Nevala then moves into a strong montuno while Marlier and Neives assertively trade rhythmic ideas. Nevala inserts a harmonically and rhythmically interesting montuno into the melody on “What Is This Thing Called Love,” creating a unique spin on the classic standard. Nevala drives bebop lines through inventive rhythmic twists, while bassist Bijoux Barbosa displays intense technical virtuosity in a powerful solo. Drummer Brian Dillon develops a series of traditional licks into a longer statement, leading back into the familiar melody. The use of the common standards opens possibilities for improvisational freedom, while Nevala’s creative arrangements breath new life into well-worn songs.
A Different Outlook Through Original Compositions
Nevala’s original compositions provide a different outlook upon his musicality. A gentle vamp from bassist Gonzalo Teppa leads into a lush arpeggiations, a spacious melody, and an open coloristic time feel on “Nocturne.” Marlier consolidates into a bossa nova feel behind Nevala’s solo, which builds from a careful series of melodies into an aggressive rhythmic attack. The percussive nature of Teppa’s acoustic bass, teamed with his assertive improvisational approach give the song a necessary push behind his solo, driving it towards the end. A stuttering montuno in 7/4 creates a strong momentum into a bluesy melody on “DotCom-Bustion.” After a short solo from Nevala, Barbosa applies a treble heavy rock tone to a busy solo, full of creative rhythmic variations. The band lowers its volume for a return to the melody, leading into a powerful solo from Dillon. Nevala opens “Serpentina” with an aggressive timba-influenced montuno in 7/4 that transitions into a calm bossa nova in 6/4 for the melody. Teppa explores an extended improvisation over the 6/8 bossa nova, applying creative melodic development. The rhythm section opens up behind Nevala’s twisting statement, which transitions into an aggressive and chops-laden solo from Marlier. Nevala’s original compositions allow him to expand upon traditional Latin Jazz concepts and explore other musical ideas.
Integrating Other Musical Genres
Nevala attempts to integrate other musical genres into his voice, finding varying degrees of success. The melody to Sting’s “Fragile” floats over a time-stretching series of arpeggios and colorful embellishments from Marlier and Teppa. Nevala’s solo travels through the song’s limited harmony with rapid phrases and a bossa nova backdrop. Teppa takes a thoughtful approach to his improvisation, balancing strong lines with pieces of the melody. Violinist Nicole Routman adds an authentic flavor to the band’s danzon treatment of “Tres Lindas Cubanas.” The group transitions into a traditional son for solos, which inspires a series of tipico phrases from Nevala. Bassist Jimmy Trujillo reveals a solid background in traditional performance with an authentic improvisation until Neives and timbalero Jose Espino end the descarga with a high-energy exchange. These pieces demonstrate Nevala’s willingness to experiment and explore different influences outside jazz.
The Emergence of a Mature Creative Voice
Nevala displays the emergence of a mature creative voice on Alone Together. His creative arrangements of jazz standards show his mastery in both jazz and Latin worlds, as well as the ability to make connections between them. The extensive improvisational opportunities in these pieces present the chance to hear Nevala’s solo skills which both reference history and demonstrate his ability to creatively manipulate melodic material. The integration of odd-time signatures into traditional Latin Jazz structures reveals an experimental compositional style that pays off with interesting music and inspired performances. His dip into pop music with Sting’s “Fragile” serves as a slight misdirection, but it stands as an interesting risk in the context of a traditional Latin Jazz album. Nevala integrates several different combinations of musicians into the album, which helps emphasize the various sides of his musicality. The constant emergence of new personalities keeps the overall album fresh and seems to motivate Nevala’s already strong musical drive. Nevala creates a refreshing and recognizable voice on Alone Together; his strong basis in tradition and creative interpretation makes him stand out as a voice that will be heard again soon." The Latin Jazz Corner , Chip Boaz
Award winning Pianist/Arranger/Composer Andy Nevala is based in Denver, CO. He has been recognized by Downbeat Magazine on 9 different occasions, winning Downbeat Music Awards for composition (2002), arranging (2003), and performing/directing (2000, 2000, 2002). He moved to Colorado in 1997 after graduating from Boise State University to pursue graduate studies in music. He completed a Master of Music in Theory and Composition from UNC in 2000, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His newest CD, "Alone Together", was released September 18th, 2007, and is on the Capri Label. The CD is available at HMV, CD Universe, Artist Direct, Emusic, Itunes, and Capri Records, among others. He has toured Canada, Europe, Japan, South America, and has performed in every state in the US except Alaska and Hawaii. He has most recently performed with vocalist Steve Lippia and guitarist Eddie Turner, nominated in the 2006 Blues Music Awards as "Best New Artist". Andy has been a featured artist at the Calgary C-Jazz Festival (2007), the Gene Harris Jazz Festival (2003, 2008), and the Kinser Jazz Festival (2007), and has performed as a sideman at the JVC Jazz Festival in NYC (Birdland), the Ottawa Blues Fest, the WDR in Bonn, Germany, the Berlin Blues Fest, the Aspen Jazz Festival, the Telluride Jazz Festival, the Vienna Blues Fest (Austria), and has also completed 2 tours with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. While at UNC he directed and performed in Combo's I and II, winning downbeat awards for Outstanding Performance by a College Combo and Best Blues/Pop/Rock Group winner, respectively. He also performed in the award winning Jazz Lab I, under the direction of Dr. Gene Aitkin, and was a featured soloist on the UNC Jazz Program recording "Gene Aitkin directs UNC Jazz Lab Band I - Alive XVII", playing piano and Hammond B-3. At UNC he performed with Conrad Hertwig, Brian Lynch, Louis Bellson, Peter Erskine, and Pete Fountain, as well as opened for Kurt Elling, Russell Malone, Poncho Sanchez and McCoy Tyner. While at the University of Colorado, Boulder, he performed in Jazz Ensemble I and Combo I, winning downbeat awards for Outstanding Performance Original Song, Jazz Arrangement Co-Winner, Outstanding Group (Combo I) and Outstanding Jazz Ensemble (CU JazzEnsemble I). He also directed Combo's IV+III, Jazz Ensemble II, and taught the Jazz Piano class. At CU, he performed with Chris Potter, Jiggs Whigam, and James Carter. Andy has also been commission to arrange for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Denver Brass, the Steve Lippia Big Band, Conjunto Colores, his own groups, and has recorded on over 20 CD’s released in the US, Japan, and South America. His current groups have performed live on KUVO (89.3 FM), and have been on the most recent compilation cd’s released by KUVO, “Live at the Oasis”.
Article in the Boise Arbiter: http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/media/storage/paper890/ne ws/2008/02/28/Culture/Nevala.Strikes.A.Nerve.and.Some.Keys-3 239398.shtmlcp_article_tools
CD Reviews:
Andy Nevala, Alone Together (Capri). Andy Nevala, who's won nine Downbeat awards, reworks a few standards, adding Latin tinges to some, including the title track and "Autumn Leaves." The pianist's first-rate compositional chops are showcased on a pair of originals, while his insightful arrangement skills shine throughout the disc, especially during a pensive take on Sting's "Fragile." —Jon Solomon, Westword
Cd Review in RockTimes:http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/n/andy_nevala/alone _together.html Welche Musik machen Begleitmusiker unter eigenem Namen? In diesem Fall geht es um Andy Nevala, der mit Eddie Turner tourt und dort Keyboards spielt. Zugegeben, mit dem, was Nevala auf "Alone Together" präsentiert, befinden wir uns am Rand des musikalischen ROCKTIMES-Universums, aber dank unseres Teleskops haben wir auch den in Denver, Colorado lebenden Tastenmann auf dem Schirm. Nevala hat eine große Affinität zur Latin-Musik, die auf dem Album unüberhörbar ist. Rhythmisch sehr stark ausgeprägt, was auch durch die Mitwirkung des Kongaspielers Victor Neives und Jose Espinos (percussion) ausgedrückt wird. Natürlich finden wir die lateinamerikanischen Anleihen auch in Nevalas Klavierspiel, denn das ist sein Instrument auf dem vorliegenden Album und bei der Auswahl der Musiker verzichtete er auf einen Gitarristen, was zur Folge hat, dass oftmals die Bassisten im Vordergrund stehen. So auch im Titelstück, "Alone Together", einem Standard, geschrieben von H. Dietz und A. Schwartz, mit einem starken Bass von Matt Spencer, der neben Victor Neives soliert. Für das Arrangement dieses Songs bekam Nevala vom Down Beat Magazin einen Preis. Ingesamt sind vier Bassisten auf dem Album zu hören und "Tres Lindas Cubanas" ist wohl einer der Höhepunkte, einerseits weil mit Jimmy Trujillo ein weiterer Eddie Turner-Musiker den Tieftöner bedient und anderseits Jose Espino die Rhythmusabteilung verstärkt. Der Song ist das zentrale Stück der CD, weil er verdeutlicht, um was es Nevala in seiner Interpretation von Jazz-Standards geht: Afro-kubanische Musik, die mit Originalität, Präzision und Integrität vorgetragen wird. Oben drauf kommt in "Tres Lindas Cubanas" noch Nicole Routman an der Violine. Tolle Nummer! Einen Preis könnte man dem Pianisten auch für seine Interpretation von Stings "Fragile" geben, denn hier geht er echt in die Tiefe und man fragt sich, was er aus dem Track gemacht hat, denn die Nummer ist irgendwie noch empfindlicher als das Original, traurige Romantik pur, mit einem Basssolo von Gonzalo Teppa. Erst gegen Ende lässt Nevala die so bekannte Hookline frei. Kommen wir zum ersten vom Protagonisten geschriebenen Song: "Nocturne" ist ein herrlich entspanntes Stück Musik, bei dem Teppa mit seinem Kontrabass viel Wärme ausstrahlt und Mike Marlier (drums) die Jazzbesen über die Felle streicht. Augen schließen und träumen, das ist hier angesagt! Eins muss man dem Nevala lassen: Songs umstrukturieren und ihnen eine persönliche Note geben, darin ist er ein Meister und belegt das zum wiederholten Male, denn er macht "Caravan" zu einer echt heißen Nummer. Der Posaunist Darren Kramer verblüfft und überrascht den Hörer mehrmals. In keiner Fassung dieses Songs darf die Perkussion fehlen. Wieder ist es Victor Neives, der seine Hände über die Felle fliegen lässt, bevor es zurück zum Thema geht. "Dotcom-Bustion", eines von sieben im Trio gespielten Stücke, lebt förmlich vom treibenden Bass eines Bijoux Barbosa. Sein Solo ist technisch brillant und von der Marke Flinkefinger. Es bleibt ja auch genügend Raum für Improvisationen. Das ist auch das Stichwort für den zweiten von Nevala geschriebenen Song. "Serpentina" zeigt den Songschreiber als Solist und Teamplayer. Toll, wie er das Solo von Gonzalo Teppa mit feinsten Klavierläufen unterlegt, um dann selbst im Vordergrund zu stehen. Das Album schließt mit einem bekannten Cole Porter-Song, der ein echtes Highlight der CD "Alone Together" ist. Eine Nummer zum Genießen, so wie die gesamte Platte. Latin und modern gespielter Jazz, wie er sein sollte. Interessant, wenn nicht spannend gespielt und besonders durch die vielen Basssoli sehr erfreulich und auch dadurch etwas Besonderes. Die Überraschung ist gelungen, denn man durfte von einem Eddie Turner-Bandmitglied nicht unbedingt diese Musik erwarten. Es machte Spaß, wieder Mal eine Platte aus diesem Genre gehört zu haben.
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