Andrew Eric Nevala (born May 9, 1972) is an American jazz pianist and music educator who was born in Aurora, Colorado. A son of a military veteran, he attended grade school in Hahn, Germany, and then Sumter, South Carolina, and graduated from Mountain Home High School, Idaho.
Background Nevala began studying piano at an early age and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Boise State University, a Masters in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado, and a doctorate in piano performance with a jazz emphasis from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was the first doctoral Student in the Jazz Studies Program. He studied jazz piano with Chuck Smith, Pat Bianchi, Chip Stephens, and Art Lande, and classical piano with Del Parkinson and Robert Spillman.
Career He is currently Director of Jazz Studies at Jacksonville State University, in Jacksonville, Alabama and was formerly Coordinator of Jazz Studies at California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, California. At JSU, he oversaw the program grow from two jazz bands and a combo when he arrived, to four jazz ensembles, six combos, a Latin Ensemble, and a vocal Jazz Ensemble. Under his direction, JSU Jazz Ensemble I has won two Downbeat Student Music Awards, and his groups have performed at the Jazz Educators Network Conference and the Alabama Music Educators Conference.
As a professional musician, he has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Steve Lippia, Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Turner, the ProJazzTrio, and the Andy Nevala Quartet.
Awards Downbeat Student Music Awards 2022 Outstanding Performance, Undergraduate Big Band, Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble I, director 2015 Outstanding Performance, Undergraduate Big Band, Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble I, director 2003 Arrangement, "Autumn Leaves" 2003 Outstanding Performance, Big Band, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, Pianist 2002 Outstanding Performance, Original Composition, ‘Nocturne’, Composer/Performer 2002 Outstanding Performance, College Instrumental Group, University of Colorado Combo 1, Pianist 2000 Best College Jazz/Rock Group, UNC Combo I, Director and performer 2000 Best Vocal Jazz Group, UNC Sus 4, Rehearsal Pianist and performer 1999 Best College Jazz/Rock Performance, UNC Combo II, Director and performer 1999 Best Vocal Jazz Group, UNC Sus 4, Rehearsal Pianist and performer
Discography 2019, Big Band of Brothers, A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band, New West Records 2018, Nevala, Brothers, Carswell, Kozak, Three Times Two, Girod Records 2014, Orquesta Dharma, La Clave Del Gumbo 2011, Orquesta Dharma, Road Warrior 2007, Alone Together, Capri Records 2006, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, CU Over The Rainbow,
University of Colorado College of Music, Jazz Studies Program
2005, ProJazzTrio, Live From Venezuela 2005, Conjunto Colores, Con Colores Se Goza 2004, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, CU ‘Round Midnight,
University of Colorado College of Music, Jazz Studies Program
2003, One For the Road, The Cornerstone Trio, Glenn Miller Productions 2002, Conjunto Colores, On Another Level 2000, Waiting in the Alley 2002, Conjunto Colores, Lo Mejor Del Conjunto Colores 2001, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, Boulder Buff – A Tribute
To Glenn Miller, University of Colorado College of Music
2000, UNC Jazz Lab Band I, Alive XVII, United Jazz Artists 2000, Suzanne Morrison, From Where you Are 2000, Carrie Schultz, Introducing Carrie Schultz 1999, Conjunto Colores, MI Planeta 1998, Steve Roach, No Way Out 1997, Rebecca Scott Decision, United 1997, Robert Walker, Art of the Groove
References
External links Official page Andy Nevala on music.apple.com Official YouTube Page