Jim Nolet

Nolet began violin, guitar, and percussion at age six. At age 13, he began improvising and playing professionally while continuing his classical studies. His studies extended from Juilliard School to Cornish Institute of the Arts, among others. He also studied violin/viola with: Thomas Rodrique, Dr. Huber, Christine Olason, Professor Chao, Jerome Hines, Gary Peacock (Jazz improvisation, theory/composition), Art Lande (Jazz Composition), Al Galante (Jazz Composition) David Burgess (classical guitar), Eddie Bobe (Afro Cuban percussion), and Rodrigo Rodrigues Goncalves (Brazilian percussion). His “symphonic” work includes among others: the NYU Symphony Orchestra and the Federal Way Symphony. Nolet’s jazz Identity took shape in workshops, studios and clubs in New York, where his work in the mainstream, bop, and Latin music circles ensured the development of a jazz and world music foundation that is encompassed in his work.

Nolet’s first working Jazz trio as a teenager featured bassist Bradley Jones and guitarist Dave Tronzo called the NY Hot String Trio a regular at the “5&10” on Greene St, also known as “Ali’s Alley”. As an original charter member of “the Jazz Passengers,” Nolet helped form “Attention Shoppers” and when bassist Tony Garnier left Nolet called on Brad Jones to join the group which later became “the Jazz Passengers” and upon completion of their first record “Broken Night Red Light” Roy Nathanson was defined as the leader. The group disbanded in late 1995 after the completion of “In Love” and the band reformed as Debbie Harry and the Jazz Passengers as a six piece ensemble. In 1987, Nolet also co-founded a non-profit school with Bern Nix for traditional, modern and jazz studies in New York City called the Composers’ Improviser’s Workshop. Besides Nix and Nolet, the faculty included David Murray, Glenn Moore, Fred Hopkins, Eddie Bobe, Jay Rodriguez, Roy Campbell, and others. Nolet presented the CIW workshops at colleges and venues around the world. In the 1990s Nolet led StringFaced featuring Bern Nix, Fred Hopkins and Diedre Murray reviewed by Jon Parales, toured Europe, and released a CD through the Knitting Factory Works label. Nolet was also a member of the David Murray Big Band conducted by Butch Morris and worked in ensembles with Cecil Taylor. Nolet also formed the New York String Improvisors Orchestra which featured conductors Butch Morris and John Zorn.

“Arco Voz Dois” begins in the form of his previous solo CD entitled “Arco Voz,” which had a core string ensemble with percussion that featured several popular singers of Brazil, such as Marcia Lopes and Monica Salmaso. Arco Mundo’s premiere recording features compositions highlighting Latin music beyond just Brazil, including Portugal, Cuba, Argentina, Spain and Loisaida Nueva York. “Arco Voz Dois” Features Brazilian Vocalist Marcia Lopes and the original members of Arco Voz.

Collaborating with Brazilian artist Rodrigo Rodrigues, Nolet founded and began working in the Brazilian-Jazz band, “Arco Voz” in Brazil in 2000. He released “Arco Voz” in 2001 and opened a U.S. tour in the fall of 2002. Arco Voz facilitated a US tour again in 2017 the vocalist Monica Lopes contributed her talent to Arco Voz at the Brazilfest in NYC among other major US cities.

Jim Nolet (born 1961) is an American jazz violinist, artist, performer, and educator known internationally as a composer/improviser in world and jazz idioms. He has a particular interest in the music of Brazil. He has performed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Latin America.