Music
NEW NOSTALGIA DEBUT ALBUM now available
NEW NOSTALGIA, Neil’s latest project, has just released their self-titled debut album! A selection of 8 songs—both originals and covers—all inspired by 1980’s pop. Find it on Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, or just about anywhere else!
LISTEN is the opening track of the self-titled debut album from NEW NOSTALGIA, a new 9-piece instrumental band that blurs the lines between jazz, pop, and rock. Led by saxophonist and composer/arranger Neil Carson, New Nostalgia features Chicago’s finest musicians of many stripes, with music consisting of original compositions and wacky jazz-fusion-inspired cover versions of your favorite pop tunes.
SUSSUDIO is the closing track of the self-titled debut album from NEW NOSTALGIA, a new 9-piece instrumental band that blurs the lines between jazz, pop, and rock. Led by saxophonist and composer/arranger Neil Carson, New Nostalgia features Chicago’s finest musicians of many stripes, with music consisting of original compositions and wacky jazz-fusion-inspired cover versions of your favorite pop tunes.
NEIL CARSON’S DAY-GLO FREAKS “THE FEZ”
In 2017, Neil assembled an all-star cast of musicians from across Chicago to perform Steely Dan’s classic album The Royal Scam from start to finish, as part of the Jazz Record Art Collective series, which features performances of historic jazz albums.
Featuring: Neil Carson (alto sax/vocals), Zoey Witz (guitar), Paul Mutzabaugh, Dan Pierson (keyboards), Andrew Vogt (bass), Zack Marks (drums), Constantine Alexander (trumpet), Corbin Andrick (tenor sax), Alex Wasily (trombone), Dan Burke (bari sax), Alyssa Allgood, Greg Woods (vocals)
Recorded by Dave Vettraino at Fulton Street Collective, Chicago IL; Video courtesy of Rebecca Ciprus
“Caravan” (Arr. carson)
This arrangement of Juan Tizol’s "Caravan" was commissioned as part of the 31st annual Festival Miami at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. The arrangement was written to feature French jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimée, Frost Extensions, and the Frost Studio Jazz Band. This challenging arrangement features a variety of moods, grooves and textures which make it a refreshing take on Tizol's 1936 classic.
Soloists - Kate Reid, vocals; Russ Macklem, trumpet; Chris Thompson-Taylor, tenor saxophone
Recorded by the Frost Studio Jazz Band and Frost Extensions
"a moment of lucidity"
This piece was composed as an overture to a fictional short film, which chronicles a hit-man's dedicated pursuit of a high-level South Beach drug dealer. All production for this piece was completed in Logic Pro X.
“BOTH SIDES, NOW” (ARR. neil CARSON)
This vocal arrangement of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides, Now” was a challenging undertaking, to provide a fresh interpretation of a classic, timeless pop song. Joni’s lyrics go deeper than we are used to--taking a look at how clouds, love, and ultimately life, change over time. Mitchell's gorgeous melodies and catchy guitar hooks make “Both Sides, Now” musical perfection, and the song lends itself to the vocal ensemble setting quite well.
Featuring Frost Extensions: Linda Alvarado, Alex Manfredo, Danielle Wertz, Neil Carson, Lowell Ringel, Elliot Weeks
“rain light”
The lyrics to "Rain Light" are taken from the W.S. Merwin poem of the same name; in the poem a mother speaks to her child, saying, "I am going now. When you are alone you will be all right. Whether or not you know, you will know." Tender, loving reassurance defines the text of this poem, and the music is meant to reflect this feeling of faith, love, security and certainty.
Featuring: Danielle Wertz - vocals; Szilard Molnar, Rhonda Kremer, Mike Barcenas - horns; Matt Nichols - percussion; Neil Carson - piano; Sara Arevalo, Nicole Oswald, David Parks, Mateja Kalajian, Ariele Macadangdang, Abby Fuchs - violins; Eric Eakes, Colin Lee, Silvana Ferrarin - violas; Sarah Gongaware, Joy Adams, Boris Popadiuk - cellos; Ben Melvin, Harley Robertson - basses
“romance for bassoon and string orchestra”
This one-movement concerto for bassoon and strings is called a "romance" because of its musical grandeur. Melodramatic string gestures and bold bassoon statements mean this piece takes itself very seriously, but hopefully not too much? You be the judge.
Featuring: Julia Paine - bassoon; Ariele Macadangdang (solo), Nicole Oswald, Paige Towsey, Jaya Varma, Mateja Kalajian, David Parks, Diana Rosales, Abby Young - violins; Emily Acri (solo), Vishnu Ramunkutty, Lauren Miller, Suyog Pagonkar, Javier Chacon - violas; Sarah Gongaware (solo), Sarah Huesman, Eva Dines - cellos; Daniel Carson (solo), Ben Melvin, Harley Robertson, basses