Open Arts LES: Nolan Nwachukwu Project

Nolan Nwachukwu Project’s music features a combination of diverse original compositions and new, funky interpretations of contemporary songs and jazz standards. The compositions and arrangements performed by the group are infused with a blend of African-American genres, including gospel, jazz, R&B, soul, funk, and other world music.

About Nolan Nwachukwu 

Nolan Nwachukwu is a bassist, composer, and producer based in New York City. Originally from South Florida, Nolan studied Jazz at the Dillard Center for the Arts under the direction of Christopher Dorsey. With Nolan on bass, the DCA band achieved 2 straight top-3 finishes at the Essentially Ellington national competition, including an award for outstanding rhythm section and an honorable mention on bass. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, under the guidance of Buster Williams, Marc Cary, Kendrick Scott, and John Benitez.

Since relocating to New York, Nolan has begun collaborations with acclaimed artists and musicians such as J’Nai Bridges, Damien Sneed, Michael Mwenso and the Shakes, Tyreek McDole, Miles Lennox, Savion Glover, Miki Howard, Jon Batiste, Ruben Fox, Willerm Delisfort, Tina Fabrique, Brandon Woody, Cisco Swank, FORAGER, Jillian Grace, Imani Rouselle, Reuben James, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Nolan has performed at many notable venues and festivals including Dizzy’s @ Jazz at Lincoln Center, Mintons Playhouse, Smalls Jazz Club, Carnegie Hall, MET Art Museum, City Winery (New York, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia), NPR Tiny Desk (Home), Monterey Jazz Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival, South Beach Jazz Festival, Umbria Winter Jazz Festival, and Burlington Discover Jazz Festival amongst others.

Nolan currently performs throughout various venues in NYC and tours nationally and internationally between different groups, including FORAGER, Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, and Electric Root’s Production: The Sound of (Black) Music.