Andy Nevala

Andy Nevala is an accomplished American jazz pianist, composer, and music educator known for his vibrant contributions to jazz and Latin jazz. Born in 1972 in Aurora, Colorado, he has been active in music since the mid-1990s and has released several projects, including the recent Latin jazz album *El Rumbón* (The Party). Nevala studied extensively, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Piano Pedagogy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and holds both a Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition and a Bachelor's in Music. He combines his deep academic background with dynamic performing skills, often drawing on Latin influences in his work.

Currently based in Atlanta and serving as the Director of Jazz Studies at Jacksonville State University, Nevala leads multiple ensembles—including award-winning jazz groups—and has been recognized multiple times by *DownBeat* magazine for his excellence in composition, arranging, and directing. Beyond performing, he’s dedicated to fostering jazz education, overseeing a growing program and regularly engaging in international and regional performances and festivals. His music is noted for blending rich jazz tradition with Latin rhythms, exemplified in his energetic piano style and original compositions such as those featured on his albums *Three Times Two* and *Big Band of Brothers*.

Genres