Meet the band:
The musical credentials of the members of Ars Nova, a new—and new type of pop group, would look good on the members of a pro musica antiqua.
The lead singer, Jon Pierson, who is an alumnus of the Mannes College of Music, played with the Queens Symphony, the New York Orchestral Society, the National Symphony, and was a founder and director of the NY Baroque Brass Ensemble.
The rhythm guitarist and writer, Wyatt Day, is also a proficient pianist and violinist and has composed string quartets, duos for cello and viola, and a series of classical guitar pieces. He studied flamenco music while living in a gypsy community in Seville, Spain.
William Folwell who plays horn for Ars Nova attended the Eastman School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music and has a degree in trumpet. He toured Europe and America with several avant-garde bands.
The drummer, Maurice Baker, another Mannes alumnus, also writes for the group. He has conducted a Russian Church Choir in Montreal, and he was a drummer with the Black Watch and led a Russian Folk Orchestra.
Bass player Jonathan Raskin is a self-taught classical guitarist and has appeared in concerts at Town Hall, Kaufman Auditorium and Lincoln Centre.
John Papalia is another self-taught Jazz and classical musician. He plays lead guitar for Ars Nova and has toured with many Jazz groups as well as having one of his own.
The boys met while giving music instruction to poor children in Harlem, and they decided to form a group along the lines of a music society.
Hence the name Ars Nova, or new art, a phrase used to describe the new musical style of the Renaissance.
The members of Ars Nova hope to create music which would combine the complex modes, forms, and instrumentation of ancient music with the impact and immediacy of today’s pop sound. (Hit Parader, 10/68)
“And How Am I To Know” taken from the LP ‘Ars Nova’ | (Elektra EKS-74020) April 1968
Ars Nova, a new group with a polished, polished sound, combine a technically masterful LP with a carefully structured rock rhythm.
The group’s harmony and orchestra accompanying “Fields Of People,” “Paven For My Lady” and especially, “Album In Your Mind,” are the type of top-notch progressive winning play on both AM and FM stations.
Ars Nova, with its superior musical designs is sure to catch onto the charts. (Billboard, 05/68)
They combine it to great effect on their recently released Elektra album, simply titled Ars Nova, which we think is a fine bit of work. Richard Goldstein of the New York Times agrees, He says: “Ars Nova is the first rock group since Procol Harum to convey, through classical themes, its own reality.
Ars Nova shows us the way to a pop music that is artistic without being arty . . . . and they sure blow my mind.” (Beat Instrumental, 12/68)
Ars Nova | And How Am I To Know | (Elektra) 1968
Formed in New York City in 1967 by two former students from the Mannes College musical conservatory, Wyatt Day (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Jon Pierson (trombone, vocals) and Maury Baker (drums). The line-up was expanded by the addition of Jonathan Raskin (bass, backing vocals, guitar) and Giovanni Papalia (lead guitar).
After spending some time rehearsing in rural Vermont, the band added Bill Folwell to their ranks on double bass and trumpet. Coming to the attention of manager Arthur Gorson (who also managed Phil Ochs and Judy Collins) the band secured an audition for Jac Holzman’s Elektra label and secured a contract soon after.
The band’s self-titled debut album was recorded at Sunset Sound studios in Los Angeles and was produced by Paul Rothchild (noted for his work with The Doors, Love et al).
The ARS NOVA album was certainly ground-breaking for its use of unconventional instrumentation and for taking influences from the worlds of rock, ethnic and classical music.
Fields Of People
One fan of the album was Roy Wood of British band The Move (who would record a cover of Ars Nova’s “Fields of People” on their 1970 album Shazam!)
ARS NOVA was issued in 1968 to much critical acclaim, but the band’s line-up made it difficult for the music to translate well on the concert stage. Appearances opening for The Doors failed to boost the band’s fortunes and the initial line-up of the band broke up soon afterwards.
Personnel:
Maury Baker – drums, percussion, organ
Jon Pierson – lead vocals, bass trombone
Bill Folwell – trumpet, backing vocals, double bass
Giovanni Papalia – lead guitar
Wyatt Day – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, piano, organ
Jonathan Raskin – bass, backing vocals, guitar
Producer:
Paul A. Rothchild
Ars Nova Set for Carnegie
New York – Ars Nova will make its “live” debut at Carnegie Hall April 13 after nine months of preparation in a New York loft. The group, which has been signed to the Elektra label, is introducing a concept that combines classical foundation with the contemporary pop sound.
The Carnegie Hall debut will offer, along with Ars Nova, a company of ballet dancers and a light show produced by Pablo Lights. According to Arthur Gorson, who manages the group, their Elektra album will be recorded along the lines of the “live” show with entre-actes, segues, etc. The Elektra records will be produced by Paul Rothschild.
Jac Holzman, president of Elektra, will introduce the group at a party to be held at the West 48th Street Automat after the Carnegie Hall concert. (Billboard, 03/68)
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