Written by Pico, Blogcritics
Published August 21, 2007
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/08/21/093613.php

Orchestral jazz seem to be a dying art these days. Oh sure, there are
Ellington, Monk and Mingus tribute bands, but there seems to be a
dearth of composers creating new works. Well OK, maybe that's a little
dramatic. In reality, such jazz composers still do exist today, but
they toil in relative obscurity. One of the more notable contributors
to the under-appreciated art of classical jazz among contemporaries
was Paul Nash.

Paul Nash was a jazz guitarist who studied classical composition and
from early on in his career concentrated on composing for and leading
large ensembles. Shortly after he completed his studies in composition
in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nash stuck around the area and founded
the Paul Nash Ensemble in 1977, later establishing other jazz
orchestras. The young, budding talents of trumpeters Mark Isham and
Tom Harrell as well as future Spyro Gyra vibe player Dave Samuels have
cut their teeth playing in Nash-led groups before making their own
marks on the jazz world.