Biography

Nova NOLA

http://www.novanola.wordpress.com

Out of the most musical city in the United States comes New Orleans’ very own unique, progressive, contemporary jazz band, Nova NOLA. Nova NOLA is a band that fuses together the intoxicating rhythms and music of Brazil as well as the soulful struts and beats of New Orleans in an exotic and captivating blend of original music and timeless standards alike, from Louis Armstrong’s classic “Struttin’ With Some Barbeque” to Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Desafinado”, to Masakowski’s “Wetland”. Nova NOLA (New- New Orleans) celebrates the rebirth of the city after the devastation of Katrina featuring some of the new generation of young musicians on the scene.

Legendary 7-string jazz guitarist Steve Masakowski is the founder and originator of Nova NOLA. Keeping true to the deep-rooted musical family traditions in New Orleans, he works alongside his two children in the band, vocalist Sasha Masakowski and bassist Martin Masakowski. Sasha’s graceful Portuguese lyrics and Martin’s percussive bass improvisations are pivotal elements to the band’s eclectic sound, and coincide perfectly with Nova NOLA’s other outstanding band members; virtuoso vibraphonist James Westfall and world-renowned latin-jazz drummer Ricky Sebastian.

After about a year since the band came into existence, Nova NOLA has performed for sold-out audiences at Snug Harbor, the New Orleans National Jazz Historic Park, and Satchmo Summer Festival. A debut CD is scheduled to be released in December 2009 and a U.S. tour will follow shortly thereafter.          Visit www.nolanova.wordpress.com for performances and updates.

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