Biography
Manhattan has long been home to trumpeter and flügelhornist Jim Cifelli, whose primary claim to recognition rests on his creation of the New York Nonet. Working in the post-bop and hard bop idioms, he has also distinguished himself as an arranger, composer, bandleader, and producer. Veteran hard bop alto saxophonist Phil Woods once characterized the New York Nonet as a “little big band,” underscoring its position as a medium-sized ensemble—larger than the quartets and quintets typical of straight-ahead bop yet smaller than a conventional orchestra. Cifelli has identified Oliver Nelson, Gil Evans, and Thad Jones as principal influences on his arranging, while his writing also evokes the hard-swinging sound associated with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
Although he has resided in Manhattan since 1989, Cifelli was not born in any of New York City’s five boroughs; his birth occurred on May 11, 1961, in Yorktown Heights, NY, roughly thirty-five miles north of the city, where he spent his formative years. Following his marriage to Barbara Cifelli, who later performed on multiple reed instruments with the New York Nonet, he relocated to Manhattan. During the early to mid-1990s he co-led the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, a New York big band. After that ensemble disbanded, he sought guidance from his composition teacher, Manny Albam, about writing for a medium-sized group; Albam responded enthusiastically and elaborated on his own affinity for such ensembles. Consequently, Cifelli established the New York Nonet in 1996.
Personnel affiliated with the nine-piece band have included trombonist Pete McGuinness, trumpeter/flügelhornist Andy Gravish, tenor saxman Joel Frahm, alto and soprano saxman Cliff Lyons, guitarist Pete McCann, and drummer Tim Horner, among others. Barbara Cifelli has contributed on baritone sax, bass clarinet, and flute. Although Cifelli occasionally solos on trumpet and flügelhorn, he consistently allocates greater improvisational space to his sidemen than to himself. In this respect his approach parallels Duke Ellington’s relationship to the piano: a capable soloist who nonetheless prioritizes the roles of arranger, composer, and bandleader.
Early in 1998 Cifelli issued Bullet Trane, the debut recording by the New York Nonet, on his own Short Notice Music imprint. The second album, So You Say, was tracked in 1998 and subsequently appeared on A-Records, a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Challenge label. Tunnel Vision, the third New York Nonet project, was recorded for Short Notice and released in February 2003; Groove Vision followed in 2005.
Although he has resided in Manhattan since 1989, Cifelli was not born in any of New York City’s five boroughs; his birth occurred on May 11, 1961, in Yorktown Heights, NY, roughly thirty-five miles north of the city, where he spent his formative years. Following his marriage to Barbara Cifelli, who later performed on multiple reed instruments with the New York Nonet, he relocated to Manhattan. During the early to mid-1990s he co-led the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, a New York big band. After that ensemble disbanded, he sought guidance from his composition teacher, Manny Albam, about writing for a medium-sized group; Albam responded enthusiastically and elaborated on his own affinity for such ensembles. Consequently, Cifelli established the New York Nonet in 1996.
Personnel affiliated with the nine-piece band have included trombonist Pete McGuinness, trumpeter/flügelhornist Andy Gravish, tenor saxman Joel Frahm, alto and soprano saxman Cliff Lyons, guitarist Pete McCann, and drummer Tim Horner, among others. Barbara Cifelli has contributed on baritone sax, bass clarinet, and flute. Although Cifelli occasionally solos on trumpet and flügelhorn, he consistently allocates greater improvisational space to his sidemen than to himself. In this respect his approach parallels Duke Ellington’s relationship to the piano: a capable soloist who nonetheless prioritizes the roles of arranger, composer, and bandleader.
Early in 1998 Cifelli issued Bullet Trane, the debut recording by the New York Nonet, on his own Short Notice Music imprint. The second album, So You Say, was tracked in 1998 and subsequently appeared on A-Records, a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Challenge label. Tunnel Vision, the third New York Nonet project, was recorded for Short Notice and released in February 2003; Groove Vision followed in 2005.
Albums