Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at Jazz Central Studios

One of the premiere jazz orchestras in Minnesota, the Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (NCJO) directed by Mike Krikava and John Ahearn. The idea for the band came about in 1991, when Rose Lewis and Mike Krikava felt the need for a band that could perform new and home-grown Minnesotan big-band music. The solution? Start a new band! Early in 1992, the first rehearsals of the “Novy Jazovy Orkestr” (a Czech inspiration, meaning “New Jazz Orchestra”) were convened in a local band room. Today, Mike Krikava leads Nova in performances throughout the metro area and beyond; the band had a long-running monthly gig at the Shorewood in Fridley through winter 2012. Performers include sax players Bob Byers, Kari Musil, Sten Johnson, Paul Peterson, and Bill Burton; trumpeters Pete Davis, John Ahern, Tim Martin, and Graham Martin; trombonists Mike Larson, Chris Wiley, Craig Lawless, and Ike Wagner; and a rhythm section of Larry McDonough on piano, John Hyvarinen on guitar, Dave Perry on drums, and Pete Karstad on bass....

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One of the premiere jazz orchestras in Minnesota, the Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (NCJO) directed by Mike Krikava and John Ahearn. The idea for the band came about in 1991, when Rose Lewis and Mike Krikava felt the need for a band that could perform new and home-grown Minnesotan big-band music. The solution? Start a new band! Early in 1992, the first rehearsals of the “Novy Jazovy Orkestr” (a Czech inspiration, meaning “New Jazz Orchestra”) were convened in a local band room. Today, Mike Krikava leads Nova in performances throughout the metro area and beyond; the band had a long-running monthly gig at the Shorewood in Fridley through winter 2012. Performers include sax players Bob Byers, Kari Musil, Sten Johnson, Paul Peterson, and Bill Burton; trumpeters Pete Davis, John Ahern, Tim Martin, and Graham Martin; trombonists Mike Larson, Chris Wiley, Craig Lawless, and Ike Wagner; and a rhythm section of Larry McDonough on piano, John Hyvarinen on guitar, Dave Perry on drums, and Pete Karstad on bass.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Nova Jazz Corporation, Nova plays many original and commissioned pieces for jazz big band, with many by band members and Minnesota composers, including Dan Cavanagh, Steve Devich, John Guari and Greg Stinson. A recent project was a recording of the unrecorded arrangements (and originals) of William “Bill” Mathieu, originally written for Stan Kenton in the late 50s. The resulting CD, Vol. 2-Double Feature, was so well received by Bill Mathieu himself that he was motivated to write an original work specifically for the NCJO. The result is Concerto Nova, a six-movement work. Nova is currently rehearsing this new music, and the composer Bill Mathieu is directly involved in fine-tuning the composition. Nova intends to perform and record Concerto Nova.

Nova wishes to thank all its members, both past and present, who have contributed their time and talents to make the band a success. Without the efforts of our founders, alums, and contributors, the Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra wouldn’t be where it is today.

http://novajazz.net

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