Dan Pugach Nonet

The Dan Pugach Nonet is a nine-piece ensemble led by its drummer, Dan Pugach and fronted by vocalist Nicole Zuraitis. This mini big-band comprised of six horns and a driving rhythm-section features inventive arrangements of jazz, folk, pop and Brazilian repertoire, as well as Pugach’s energetic original compositions.

Dan Pugach is a Brooklyn-based, two-time ASCAP Jazz Composer Award-winning drummer/arranger. Dan has worked with Ingrid Jensen, Rosa Passos, Airto Moreira, Gregoire Maret, Billy Drews, Jeremy Pelt, Wayne Bergeron, Sloan and Lucy Wainwright, and Dave Stryker, among others. Originally from Israel, Dan served his mandatory three-year military duty as the drummer of the Air-Force Orchestra. He received his bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music and his master’s from City College of New York, where he studied with Hal Crook, Joe Lovano, George Garzone, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington and Ari Hoenig.

PLUS ONE REVIEW
Pugach goes from strength to strength on PLUS ONE, the album showcasing his beautifully intricate compositions, peerless arrangements and yes, his drumming, which is funky, on-point and surprisingly restrained for a musician of such skills and gifts. Dan’s arrangements for Nonet recall the classic sounds of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Bob Mintzer, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra–expressed in a far smaller ensemble. Deft compositions, challenging arrangements, brilliant players and Dan’s silken rhythmic touch make PLUS ONE a special outing.