Even musicians have to grow up sometime. And sometimes the results can yield something simultaneously unexpected and wonderful.

Two decades after their 1986 No. 3 hit single, “I Can’t Wait,” took worldwide dance floors by storm, pop sensation NU SHOOZ is back to thrill old and new fans alike with a new single, an autobiographical DVD, an upcoming album, and their first live appearances since the ‘80s.

First formed in 1979, Portland, Ore-based NU SHOOZ has varied its line-up over the years, but in all of its configurations, it has pushed the boundaries between black and white, pop and soul. Now, with the formation of the NU SHOOZ Orchestra, the group takes yet another bold step beyond the sonic pale with an eclectic sound that is at once part funk, world beat, R&B, jazz, and avant garde movie soundtrack.

This fresh new melding of moods is an exploration of the varied, individual musical experiences of band leaders John Smith and Valerie Day since the NU SHOOZ flavors of yesteryear. Day comments, “I don’t think we’ve missed a day of being musicians in twenty years,” a fact that clearly rings through in the scintillating intensity of their sophisticated, yet playful, new sound.

The NU SHOOZ Orchestra features a shimmering assortment of horns, strings, vibes, percussion and stand-up bass, all complemented by Day’s famously beckoning and caramelized vocals. Live shows welcome you into an experience. The band’s acoustic instrumentation virtually creates an air of mystery and anticipation for each forthcoming note, while the vibe throughout remains as warm, welcoming, and full of energy as during their days at the top of the pop charts.

NU SHOOZ was nominated for a “Best New Artist” Grammy award in 1987 and earned a Gold Record for its album “Poolside.” The band has been featured on seminal music programs from American Bandstand to the UK’s Tops of the Pops, and has toured with many of the biggest names in pop and R&B, including Tina Turner, Billy Ocean, and the Pointer Sisters. Their latest incarnation began in 2006, with a fresh take on a beloved classic, “I Can’t Wait: Unplugged.” And continues on for listeners everywhere.