PASSAGEWAY

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“PASSAGEWAY” is the most recent recording that I have produced.  It was recorded on October 29 and 30, 2022 at Suma Recording Studio located in Painesville, OH, an eastern suburb of Cleveland, OH.  The ensemble consisted of drummer Carmen Castaldi, bassist Aidan Plank, vibist Ronzo Smith and myself playing tenor and soprano saxophone, and flute.  Ronzo Smith was instrumental in planning the session as well as arranging my compositions and mixing the recording.  All seven of the compositions are originals and Den-City was co-composed with Ronzo.  All of the videos were recorded by Mark Burson of Burson Films.  The artwork for “EMBRYONIC” was created by Dana Novotny!

The primary focus that I tried to convey in the music was the use of space!  I felt the group captured that nuance definitively.

POST PANDEMIC PATH FORWARD 2023

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The 2019-20 Pandemic radically changed the societal paradigm.   Life as we knew it and lived it affected our faith, behavior, philosophy, careers, future planning, etc…

For the musicians it jettisoned opportunities to perform and ultimately stymied our ability to financially support our families.  I cringe to think about all of the artists that could not work and all of the venues that permanently closed.

I was leading a Sextet at the time.  The ensemble consisted of drummer Dr. Mark Lomax out of Columbus, OH, drummer Nasar Abadey from Baltimore, MD, pianist Benito Gonzales from NYC, the venerable bassist Juini Booth from NYC (who ultimately and sadly passed) NYC bassist Essiet Essiet, tenor saxophonist Edwin Bayard from Harrisburg, PA, and New Orleans trumpeter Marlon Jordan.  The group was focused on my original compositions as well as iconic jazz songs from legends such as Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Sam Rivers, McCoy Tyner, etc… We did manage to record two studio recordings. “The Many & The Few” and “CounterCulture”.

During the Pandemic drought I moved my family to Atlanta, GA and I’ve spent the past 3 years composing and shedding.  At last count I have composed 110 compositions.  Every song recorded and heard, and posted on my website is an original.

In Studio – MLK Project

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Currently composing a five movement suite honoring the historic and inspirational life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The vision is to record and perform this musical suite in the legendary Ebeneezer Baptist Church where Dr. King preached.  I composed it as a unity piece for nation healing.

The Emporium – Cleveland, OH.

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The Jack Novotny Quartet featuring Ronzo Smith on vibes/marimba, Jordan McBride on double bass, Pedro Dell on drum kit/percussion, and Jack on tenor & soprano saxophone, flute, and bass clarinet performed at The Music Emporium in Cleveland, OH. on Friday, August 10, 2018.

27 Hoffman Place

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The Jack Novotny Sextet performed at the 2nd Annual Dana Rose Gallery on Saturday, October 20, 2018 paying tribute to women whom have been liberated from the sex trade enslavement, supported by Dana Novotny.  This year’s theme was entitled “She Has A Name”.

Night Town

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The Jack Novotny Sextet performed at Cleveland’s NightTown Jazz on Friday, August 31, 2018.  The ensemble featured bassist Essiet Essiet, pianist Benito Gonzalez, drummer Dr. Mark Lomax II, tenor man Edwin Bayard and trumpeter Marlon Jordan

Good Times Jazz Bar – Savannah, GA

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“THE JACK NOVOTNY SEXTET” will be performing Friday, July 27th and Saturday July 28th at “Good Times Jazz Bar” in Savannah, GA.

An die Musik – Baltimore, MD

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“THE JACK NOVOTNY SEXTET” will be performing on Thursday, July 12th at An die Musik in Baltimore, MD @ 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm.  A guest appearance by drummer Nasar Abadey along with bassist Juini Booth and pianist Benito Gonzalez.

ANDIE MUSIK

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THE JACK NOVOTNY SEXTET will be performing @ Andie Musik in Baltimore, MD on Thursday, July 12th, 2018,

TWINS, WASHINGTON D.C.

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THE JACK NOVOTNY SEXTET will be performing Sunday evening, May 27th, 2018 @ TWINS JAZZ CLUB in Washington, D.C.