Andy Nevala

Andrew Eric Nevala 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,
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''