A New Semester! ETW Jazz Competition Finals!

Hey Everyone! Thanks for checking back (or for the first time)! The semester is now two weeks old, and it's back to the grind at school. Busy, busy, busy, but that's how it should be! Some exciting things happening this semester - I am giving an informal recital at the school on 2/1 in room 340 (send an email if you want to be on the list!) at 730PM at Juilliard. It is free and open to the public, but you do need to be on the list. A new collaboration with a great organization based out of NYC - Campusounds - will be putting on a showcase at a great lounge/bar on the east side called Milliseme! My quintet will be performing on Monday 2/21/11 at Milleseme (29th and Madison) from 730-9PM, no cover, come out if you can! In addition the JJO will be performing Gil Evans' arrangements from Porgy and Bess, with special guest artist Jon Faddis! Immediately following that concert (February 25th) we will be hitting the road (the JJO that is) out to Utah, and Nevada for a week long tour over our spring break! Looking forward to all these events! And last but not least - I was selected as a finalist for this years Eastern Trombone Workshop Jazz Competition! I will be competing Wednesday March 16th in Washington D.C. at Blues Alley! Most importantly, I'm glad I will be competing alongside one of my great friends (and classmate), and an amazing trombonist - Joe McDonough. Catch you all soon!

Thanks again!

- Nick

Thanks - Holidays

Hello Everyone!

I hope this update finds you well! I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Holiday Season, and a great new year! Thanks so much to all of the new visitors I've had here to my site recently, I hope you've enjoyed the music!

The quintet gig at Miles Cafe, went well, thanks so much to all of the guys in the band for learning the music! It was a pleasure making music with you all. Looking forward, we will be doing a Club 340 performance at the Juilliard School on Tuesday, February 1st at 730PM. This performance will feature an additional member of the band - Lucas Pino. Some special new arrangements will be performed!

Next semester looks to be just as busy as the first! We will be traveling to Utah and Nevada, and performing Gil Evan's arrangements of Miles Davis's Porgy and Bess with special guest Jon Faddis. Really looking forward to these projects!

As the relaxation of winter break wears off, I might not be able to continue to update the site, but stay tuned to the gig calendar to see what is up next!

Thanks again!

Nick

NYC Quintet and Gigs!

Hey Everyone - Just wanted to post a quick update that I have been able to secure the debut performance for my quintet at Miles Cafe (212 East 52nd Street) 530-730PM on Sunday December 12th, 2010 with my new quintet!

The new group will feature fellow Juilliard students Alex Wintz on guitar, Kris Bowers on Piano, Dave Baron on Bass, and Bryan Carter on drums! Really looking forward to this!

Hope to see you there!

Nick

Semester Moving Right Along!

With orientation over, and the semester now well underway, I can say that after a brief dip under water it seems like I am coming back to the surface with a good grip on things at school - for now at least! Some great concerts coming up at The Juilliard School this semester - including evening's with John Clayton (with the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra) and Curtis Fuller (with Small Ensembles)! Really looking forward to these events! Be sure to come out if you're around New York!

Currently trying to get my own projects back on their feet, more specifically my quintet - keep an eye on the quintet facebook page and right here for more updates on any gigs that may arise around the city!

Thanks, as always for looking around my page!

- Nick

Grad School is here...

Well, it's that time - after almost a year of auditions, more auditions, a few forays out on the road with several different bands, and relocating to New York, Juilliard starts this Sunday! Orientation for grad school starts, and it will be a blur until christmas from here I'm sure! Be sure to check back, I'll try to keep the gigs updated and I hope to see you around town!

- Nick

Finally in NYC!

At long last, I made it through all of the travel, packing, moving, unpacking, traveling some more, and organizing. I am now relocated to NYC, and very excited to get started at Juilliard in just a few more weeks! Now just need to take some time to get to know the city...

See ya!
Nick

On the road!

As I write this, I am enroute to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for a gig tonight with the Po Boys Brass Band! Today begins a whirlwind of activity for me, starting with todays gig and ending with being relocated to New York City! Over the next 5 weeks I will be in Rehoboth Beach, Austin Texas, Phoenix Arizona, Rochester, New York City, Rochester, and finally back in NYC.... it will be busy, but well worth the effort. Next week is the finals of the Carl Fontana competition at the ITA, wish me luck!