Ars Nova

Ars Nova emerged in 1967 as a New York–based rock/classical hybrid whose founding members were drawn from the student body at Mannes College of Music. Its original lineup featured Wyatt Day on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, Jon Pierson on trombone and vocals, Bill Folwell on trumpet and vocals, Jonathan Raskin handling bass, vocals, and guitar, Giovanni Papalia on guitar, and Maury Baker on percussion. Elektra producer Paul A. Rothchild, who claimed credit for discovering the group, signed them and described them as “the most exciting thing since the Doors.” Their self-titled debut appeared in April 1968 and received a profile in the June 28, 1968, issue of LIFE magazine, yet the attention produced no commercial traction. The album did not chart, prompting a reconfiguration that retained Day and Pierson while adding guitarist Sam Brown, trumpeter Jimmy Owens, bassist Art Koenig, and drummer Joseph Hunt. A second album, Sunshine & Shadows, followed in June 1969.