NOVUS OFFERS FRESH OUTLOOK IN DEBUT RECORDING

As most college students take advantage of Spring Break for fun and much needed rest and relaxation, trombonists John Widmer, Mike Clayville, Mike Selover, and Chris Beaudry, together known as Novus, embarked on a venture of a much different nature. Their spring break involved performances at UCLA and Cal State Long Beach preceding three full days of recording for the release of their debut recording of all new pieces for trombone quartet.

Novus has been an ensemble-in-residence at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University for the past two years. In addition to this achievement, Novus received a fellowship to attend the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival in the Summer of 2003, was the winner of the 2004 International Trombone Association Quartet Competition, and was a finalist for the 2004 Jan Koestier International Brass Competition. It was while attending the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the members of Novus met up with fellow Eastman alumni, producer, orchestrator, and composer Kim Scharnberg. Scharnberg’s credits include orchestrator for the Broadway productions, Little Women, Jekyll & Hyde, TheScarlet Pimpernel and producer for such artists as tubist Jim Self, contra bassoonist Allen Savedoff, and CELLO. This relationship developed with Scharnberg blossomed into a full collaboration to produce a compact disc of new works composed specifically for the ensemble.

Novus , Latin, is defined as that which is new, fresh, unusual, novel, and extraordinary. Known for their own arrangements and compositions, including works by Earth Wind and Fire, Billy Joel, Messiaen, and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, tenor trombonists John Widmer, Mike Clayville, Mike Selover, and bass Trombonist Chris Beaudry promise that their upcoming debut recording will not deviate from the ensemble’s original vision: good music knows no boundaries. The CD, which will be released in June of this year, will contain 11 brand new pieces composed for Novus and commissioned by the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

The following composers contributed to this project.

Christopher Brubeck - plays bass, guitar, piano, and trombone. In addition to his performance activities with his father, legendary jazz musician Dave Brubeck, Chris is also an accomplished composer and arranger, whose works have been performed by such groups as the Boston Pops, and the Cincinnati Pops. For more information, visit www.brubeckmusic.com.

Michael Patterson - on the faculty of Jazz Composition at the Manhattan School of Music, Michael Patterson is an Emmy award winning composer, whose music has been performed by Woody Herman, Kenny Garrett, Phil Woods, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Ernest Bloch Chamber Orchestra. Television and film credits include over 50 episodes of the CBS program JAG and the Lucasfilm production, Radioland Murders.

Michael Davis - this New York studio recording artist, composer, and founder of Hip-BoneMusic, Inc. has performed with the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Aerosmith, Arethra Franklin, Bob Dylan, and countless others. For more information, visit www.hip-bonemusic.com.

Nick Lane - this Los Angeles based trombonist, arranger, and composer has a list of credits a mile long including performances with Chicago, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, The Who, and Maynard Ferguson. Nick has also recorded for television and film. For more information, visit NickLaneMusic.com.

George Thatcher - can be heard on numerous movie soundtracks of such composers as John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, RandyNewman, and Danny Elfman. George plays tenor, bass, and contra bass trombone, cimbasso, euphonium, and synthesizer. In addition to studio work, George has also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the Pacific Symphony.

Michaela Eremiasova – reigning from the Czech Republic, Ms. Eremiasova studied jazz composition at the Berklee College of Music, as well as composition and musicology at the Conservatory of Jaroslav Jezak and the Charles University in Prague. Michaela’s music has been performed by the Eastman Trombone Choir, and the Berklee Rainbow Band.

Steven Holtman – Los Angeles based trombonist, composer, orchestrator, and arranger. Steve has recorded with Arturo Sandoval, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Manhattan Transfer, and has recorded for such films as Proof of Life, X Men II, Polar Express, and Bad Santa. His orchestration talents can be heard on the soundtracks of Pearl Harbor, and Deep Blue Sea.

Damon Zick – in addition to composing and arranging, Damon plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Majoring in classical and jazz performance, Mr. Zick received his Bachelors in Music from the Eastman School of Music. Damon is also the major creative force for his own group, Damon Zick and Friends. For more information visit www.zick.com.

Kim Sharnberg – has enjoyed an incredibly multi-faceted career as trombonist, orchestrator, composer, arranger, conductor, and producer. His arrangements have been performed by the Boston Pops and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras and he has orchestrated for the Broadway shows Little Women, Jekyll & Hyde, TheCivil War, and for such feature films as Nowhere to Run, Quiz Show, A River Runs Through It, and The Net.

David Harris – Boston area freelance trombonist, composer, arranger, engineer, and producer. A specialist in the realm of klezmer music, Mr. Harris is a founding member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and the radical Jewish music group, Naftule’s Dream. Dave has also recorded extensively for television and film including Woody Allen’s Deconstructing Harry and Stranger Among Us.

Tim Albright – based in New York City and active in both classical and jazz circles, Tim performs with fellow Eastman Alumni and friend Damon Zick in the group, Damon Zick and Friends. His talents as both a trombonist and composer can be heard on the group’s debut recording, The Outing. Tim has performed with the show, Fosse, and has recorded with Ralph Alessi and Jason Moran.

The recording was done at the Stagg Street Studios in Los Angeles California on March 10, 11, 12 of this year and was engineered by Brad Aaron. The recording project was funded in part by grants from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and the Hanson Institute for American Music at the Eastman School of Music. For more information regarding Novus and the cd, you can visit the ensemble’s official website.