Austin Leach - Saxophones;
Dave Ullman - Trombone;
Daniel McGeeney - Piano;
Scott Smith - Bass;
Alex Tun - Drums
Influences
John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Gordon Goodwin, Maria Schneider, Tim Davies, Tears for Fears, Chick Corea, Return to Forever, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, RH Factor, McCoy Tyner, Robert Glasper, Dave Holland, Robin Eubanks, Joshua Redman, Keith Jarrett, Freddie Hubbard, Radiohead, The Beatles, A Tribe Called Quest, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett, The Bad Plus
The Blue Nomads were formed at Amherst College in the Fall of 2004. The brainchild of Mike Kohl '06 (guitar), the Nomads enlisted Ben Rogers '06 (trumpet), Chris Parkinson '07 (bass), Daniel McGeeney '08 (piano), Austin Leach '08 (saxophones), and a local drummer from the area. Formed under the umbrella of the Amherst jazz combos, The Blue Nomads immediately gained recognition as one of the premier combos on the Amherst scene. Vital to its success was a high level of jazz musicianship combined with a creative base that relied heavily on composition and unique arrangements of standards.
In 2005, the Nomads added another to its ranks: Alex Tun '08 (drums). Unsatisfied with the party scene on campus, the Nomads began to branch out and play more gigs on campus and all over the Pioneer Valley. At parties, The Blue Nomads provided funky and groovy beats while retaining jazz roots by playing a mix of originals and covers of popular tunes complete with improvisational solos. Meanwhile, the group continued to work on its jazz repetoire and remained serious about bringing high-level jazz to the Amherst campus.
In 2006, with the graduation of Kohl and Rogers, the Nomads were reduced to a quartet (and a trio while Austin studied abroad). Nevertheless, the four musicians continued to play gigs around campus and highlighted the year as usual with their now-annual spring concert.
2007 graduated Parkinson, and the Nomads had to find a bass. Ably fitting the role was Scott Smith '09. In addition, with a desire to expand the band once again, the Nomads enlisted Dave Ullman '10 (trombone). The Blue Nomads continue to play some of the best jazz/funk/r&b/latin/fusion/hip-hop/rock/electronic music on campus, and are interested in gigging to fill all musical needs in the Pioneer Valley region.
Great page, guys. I am so pleased with what you are doing. The new tunes all sound good. You are taking the goup in the direction it needs to go. I miss you.
