THE NU SHOOZ ORCHESTRA
The SHOOZ are back!!!
Two decades after their 1986 Top Ten Hit single, “I Can’t Wait,” took the world by storm, NU SHOOZ returns to the stage with a new album, an autobiographical DVD, and their first live appearances since the late ‘80s. Formed in Portland, Oregon in the summer of 1979, their line-up has changed over the years, but in all its various forms, they’ve always pushed the boundaries between pop, funk, and jazz. Now, with the formation of the NU SHOOZ Orchestra, Portland’s favorite soul explorers take one giant leap for mankind with a brave new sound, combining their signature brand of funk with elements borrowed from Film Noir, ‘60s Spy Movies and even Tarzan.
Yes, Tarzan.
“Day and the Nu Shooz Orchestra strike a tasty balance between jazz informed, jet-set vintage pop and in-the-pocket shuffle-funk and the results are warm, and deliciously infectious. Day’s blithe voice — a honeyed blend of June Christy-Helen Merril cool elegance, shards of both Nancy Wilsons, and a certain Carole King-Joni Mitchell clarity — flirts easily with strings/horn arrangements that manage to evoke both the ultra suede ‘60s era Marty Paich, and the bump and pulse of modern T.O.P. orchestrated soul.”
— Tim DuRoche, Jazz Journalist
NU SHOOZ Orchestra is the latest chapter in the continuing musical explorations of band leaders Valerie Day and John Smith. Since the ‘80s they’ve both had unique and varied experiences. “I don’t think we’ve missed a day being musicians,” Day says. She released an album of Big-Band standards in 2002 called ‘Beginning to See the Light,” while Smith scored Indie Films and hundreds of commercials. This is their first project together since the last SHOOZ album, “Eat & Run,” (1992).
“It’s always difficult to remake a classic. What NU SHOOZ has done is something that no one else has been able to accomplish: they’ve . . . done something completely different, which is exciting.”
— Dennis Constantine, Program Director, KINK fm102
NU SHOOZ Orchestra is a ten member group with horns, strings, vibes, percussion and stand-up bass, complemented by Day’s famously beckoning and shimmering vocals. Live shows welcome you into a unique sound experience. The band’s acoustic instrumentation creates an air of mystery, while the vibe remains as warm, welcoming, and full of energy as during their days at the top of the pop charts.
“Whether it’s Steely Dan-ish orientalism (“Welcome to My Daydream”) or bossa nova suavities (“Right Before My Eyes”), a version of the jazz standard “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most” that challenges Betty Carter’s interpretive ownership, or a subtly transformative take on their own signature hit “I Can’t Wait,” these Shooz aren’t just new, they’re timeless.”
— Marty Hughley, The Oregonian
NU SHOOZ was nominated for a “Best New Artist” Grammy award in 1987 and earned a Gold Record for the album “Poolside.” Their breakthrough hit, “I Can’t Wait” continues to be played on radio stations around the globe every 12 minutes! The band has been featured on MTV, VH1, and seminal music programs like American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and the UK’s Top of the Pops. They’ve toured with some of the biggest names in show business, including Tina Turner, Billy Ocean, and the Pointer Sisters.
“The compositions run the gamut of styles, displaying the knowledge and flexibility of the composer, musicians and vocalist, Valerie Day. Throughout, Valerie’s voice consistently brings the tunes to life and sets their individual moods . . .”
— Mary Burlingame, Producer/host-Home Grown Live
KMHD, Public Radio
And the adventure continues . . .
“Cheeta! Ungawa!”
NU SHOOZ Orchestra is:
Dennis Caiazza – bass
Gary Hobbs – drums
Mike Horsfall – vibes
Paul Mazzio – trumpet and flugel horn
Tim Jensen – saxophones and flute
Lars Campbell – trombone
Justin Kagan – cello
Skip vonKuske – cello
Made up of some of the most accomplished and versatile musicians in the Pacific Northwest, these players performing experiences cover a wide range and include forays into classical, Jazz, Pop, Latin, Rock, R&B, Funk, and Soul. They’ve worked with some of the best in the business – Jazz icons like Clark Terry, Joshua Redman, The Manhattan Transfer, and Marian McPartland, Motown hitmakers Mary Wilson, The Temptations, and The Four Tops, Pop legends like Julie Andrews, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Natalie Cole, The Ojays, Bobby Vinton, Frankie Vallee, Pink Martini, Dianne Reeves, and Tony Bennett, as well as the Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Westchester Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra, and the State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico.
