Nu Shooz Orchestra
Nu Shooz Orchestra
Genres: lounge, jazz, downtempo, nu jazz, third stream
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Leah Kline
About Nu Shooz Orchestra
Two decades after their 1986 Top Ten Hit single, “I Can’t Wait,” took the world by storm, NU SHOOZ returns to the stage with a new album, an autobiographical DVD, and their first live appearances since the late ‘80s. Formed in Portland, Oregon in the summer of 1979, their line-up has changed over the years, but in all its various forms, they’ve always pushed the boundaries between pop, funk, and jazz. Now, with the formation of the NU SHOOZ Orchestra, Portland’s soul explorers take one giant leap for mankind with a brave new sound, combining their signature brand of funk with elements borrowed from Film Noir, ‘60s Spy Movies and even Tarzan. NU SHOOZ Orchestra is the latest chapter in the continuing musical explorations of band leaders Valerie Day and John Smith. Since the ‘80s they’ve both had unique and varied experiences. “I don’t think we’ve missed a day being musicians,” Day says. She released an album of Big-Band standards in 2002 called ‘Beginning to See the Light,” while Smith scored Indie Films and hundreds of commercials. This is their first project together since the last SHOOZ album, “Eat & Run,” (1992). NU SHOOZ Orchestra is a ten member group with horns, strings, vibes, percussion and stand-up bass, complemented by Day’s vocals. NU SHOOZ Orchestra is: Dennis Caiazza – bass Gary Hobbs – drums Mike Horsfall – vibes Paul Mazzio – trumpet and flugel horn Tim Jensen – saxophones and flute Lars Campbell – trombone Justin Kagan – cello Skip vonKuske – cello Made up of some of the most accomplished and versatile musicians in the Pacific Northwest, these players performing experiences cover a wide range and include forays into classical, Jazz, Pop, Latin, Rock, R&B, Funk, and Soul. They’ve worked with some of the best in the business – Jazz icons like Clark Terry, Joshua Redman, The Manhattan Transfer, and Marian McPartland, Motown hitmakers Mary Wilson, The Temptations, and The Four Tops, Pop legends like Julie Andrews, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Natalie Cole, The Ojays, Bobby Vinton, Frankie Vallee, Pink Martini, Dianne Reeves, and Tony Bennett, as well as the Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Westchester Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra, and the State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. NU SHOOZ was nominated for a “Best New Artist” Grammy award in 1987 and earned a Gold Record for the album “Poolside.” Their breakthrough hit, “I Can’t Wait” continues to be played on radio stations around the globe every 12 minutes! The band has been featured on MTV, VH1, and seminal music programs like American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and the UK’s Top of the Pops. They’ve toured with some of the biggest names in show business, including Tina Turner, Billy Ocean, and the Pointer Sisters.
Taken from Last.fm
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