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.[1]
Career
He is currently Director of Jazz Studies at Jacksonville State University, in Jacksonville, Alabama[2] and was formerly Coordinator of Jazz Studies at California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, California.[2] 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.[3] Under his direction, JSU Jazz Ensemble I has won two Downbeat Student Music Awards,[4] and his groups have performed at the Jazz Educators Network Conference and the Alabama Music Educators Conference.[5]
As a professional musician, he has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra,[6] Steve Lippia,[7] Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra,[2] Eddie Turner,[8] the ProJazzTrio, and the Andy Nevala Quartet.[9]
Awards
Downbeat Student Music Awards
2022 Outstanding Performance, Undergraduate Big Band, Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble I, Director[4][10]
2015 Outstanding Performance, Undergraduate Big Band, Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble I, Director[4][2]
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