Jim Nolet

Early life and education

Nolet began violin, guitar, and percussion at age six. At age 13, he began improvising and playing professionally while continuing his classical studies. His studies extended from Juilliard School to Cornish Institute of the Arts, among others. He also studied violin/viola with: Thomas Rodrique, Dr. Huber, Christine Olason, Professor Chao, Jerome Hines, Gary Peacock (Jazz improvisation, theory/composition), Art Lande (Jazz Composition), Al Galante (Jazz Composition) David Burgess (classical guitar), Eddie Bobe (Afro Cuban percussion), and Rodrigo Rodrigues Goncalves (Brazilian percussion). His “symphonic” work includes among others: the NYU Symphony Orchestra and the Federal Way Symphony. Nolet’s jazz Identity took shape in workshops, studios and clubs in New York, where his work in the mainstream, bop, and Latin music circles ensured the development of a jazz and world music foundation that is encompassed in his work.

Career

Nolet has performed and presented his works in such venues as the Lincoln Center in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Lucerna Hall in Prague, Club Faschings in Stockholm, Cafe Munich in Germany, Club Metro in Chicago, The Moore Theatre in Seattle, and Club Bird in Japan. He has performed, recorded and toured throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, South America and Canada, with jazz notables such as Arturo O'Farrill, David Murray, Monica Salmaso, Rodrigo Rodrigues, Fred Hopkins, Marcia Lopes, John Purcell, Jay Rodriguez, John Hicks, Tim Hagans, Marvin Sewell, Charles Eubanks, John Zorn, John Bruschini, Jazz Passengers, Michael Bisio, Don Byron, Joanne Bracken, Marc Ribot, John Lurie, Steve Berrios, Frank Lacy, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Cherry, Cecil Taylor, and others.

Nolet also maintained a working relationship with the musical theater, performing on and off Broadway with remarkable music arrangers/directors Diedre Murray and Linda Twyne.

1980s and 1990s

As an original charter member of “the Jazz Passengers,” Nolet helped form “Attention Shoppers” which later became “the Jazz Passengers”. In 1987, Nolet also co-founded a non-profit school with Bern Nix for traditional, modern and jazz studies in New York City called the Composers’ Improviser’s Workshop. Besides Nix and Nolet, the faculty included David Murray, Glenn Moore, Fred Hopkins, Eddie Bobe, Jay Rodriguez, Roy Campbell, and others. Nolet presented the CIW workshops at colleges and venues around the world.

2000s

Collaborating with Brazilian artist Rodrigo Rodrigues, Nolet founded and began working in the Brazilian-Jazz band, “Arco Voz” in Brazil in 2000. He released “Arco Voz” in 2001 and opened a U.S. tour in the fall of 2002.

Arco Mundo and Arco Voz Dois

In "Arco Mundo" Nolet uses a core string ensemble, often with percussion. This ensemble represents musical languages taken from various latin music regions such as Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Cuba, the Caribbean, France, and Loisaida Nueva York. Popular local performing artists of each region are presented in the recordings and performances of Arco Mundo. Many of the pieces are composed and/or arranged by Nolet.

“Arco Voz Dois” begins in the form of his previous solo CD entitled “Arco Voz,” which had a core string ensemble with percussion that featured several popular singers of Brazil, such as Marcia Lopes and Monica Salmaso. Arco Mundo’s premiere recording features compositions highlighting Latin music beyond just Brazil, including Portugal, Cuba, Argentina, Spain and Loisaida Nueva York. “Arco Voz Dois” Features Brazilian Vocalist Marcia Lopes and the original members of Arco Voz.

Discography

Discography as Co-Leader

With The Jazz Passengers

Discography as Side Man

With Michael Bisio

With John Bruschini

With Diedre Murray

With Howard Mandell

With Cornelius Eady

With Seigen Ono

With David Casper

With Rob Brown

With Marc Ribot

Personal life

Jim Nolet is married to Maria Angelica Castello Barnett Nolet.