As a Sideman

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

• Jason Prover

• David Adewumi

• Trombones - Rob Edwards

• Jimmy O’Connell

• Jen Wharton

• Piano - Miki Yamanaka

• Bass - Dylan Shamat

• Drums - Andy Watson