Paolo Nonnis

Paolo Nonnis is most notable for leading a big band in the 1990's that is stylistically close to the one that Buddy Rich had during the 1960's/70's. Born in Italy, Nonnis started playing drums when he was 14 and he moved to the United States in 1977. He considers his early influences to have been Gene Krupa, Joe Morello and Max Roach. Nonnis played a wide variety of music in the Los Angeles area and in the early 1980's led a rock big band; among his most notable associations as a sideman were the Al Raymond Big Band and a Stan Kenton tribute orchestra led by Dick Shearer. He led a Buddy Rich tribute band (that included Steve Marcus) during a tour of Italy in 1989, making a recording. Nonnis had an opportunity to play drums with the actual Buddy Rich Big Band during Oct. 1989-Apr. 1990; Rich had passed away in 1987. Shortly after leaving that orchestra, Paolo Nonnis (who is also a busy jazz educator and clinician) formed his own big band which during 1990-92 recorded two CDs for the USA label. Among his sidemen on the recordings are saxophonists Steve Marcus, Kim Richmond, Louis Taylor and Randall Willis, trumpeter Clay Jenkins and pianist Brian O'Rourke. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide