Ars Nova (American band)

Ars Nova

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1967
Defunct	1969
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Products	Progressive rock music, albums "Ars Nova" (1968), "Sunshine & Shadows" (1969)

Ars Nova was a US-based progressive rock ensemble that operated between 1967 and 1969. The group was initiated by Wyatt Day (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Jon Pierson (trombone, vocals), both graduates of Mannes College, with Day primarily responsible for composing the majority of their material.

Their discography comprises two albums. The debut, titled Ars Nova, was issued in 1968 under Elektra Records. This record showcased contributions from Day, Pierson, Maury Baker (organ, percussion), Giovanni Papalia (lead guitar), Bill Folwell (trumpet, bass, vocals), and Jonathan Raskin (bass, guitar, vocals). Produced by Paul Rothchild in Los Angeles, the album also featured songwriting input from Greg Copeland. Although the band gained exposure through a feature in Life magazine, they dissolved following a mid-1968 appearance opening for The Doors at the Fillmore East.

Subsequently, Day and Pierson revived Ars Nova with new members: guitarist Sam Brown, trumpeter Jimmy Owens, bassist Art Koenig, keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, and drummer Joe Hunt. This lineup produced Sunshine & Shadows, which Atlantic Records released in 1969.

Bill Folwell, a former member, died on October 2, 2019, at the age of 80.

Ars Nova (April 1968)

Side one

1. "Pavane For My Lady" – (Wyatt Day) – 2:45
2. "General Clover Ends A War" – (lyrics: Gregory Copeland; music: Day) – 2:12
   • "Entracte: Le Messe Notre Dame" – (Guillaume De Machaut, arranged by Ars Nova) – 0:30
3. "And How Am I To Know" – (Day) – 4:45
   • "Entracte: Dancer" – (Maury Baker) – 0:25
4. "Album In Your Mind" – (lyrics: Jon Pierson, Day; music: Day) – 3:01
5. "Zarathustra (Instrumental)" – (Baker) – 3:30

Side two

6. "Fields Of People" – (lyrics: Pierson, Day; music: Day) – 2:52
   • "Entracte: Vita De L'Alma Mia" – (Claudio Monteverdi, arranged by Ars Nova) – 0:45
7. "Automatic Love" – (Day) – 4:06
   • "Entracte: A Thought" – (Pierson, Jonathan Raskin) – 0:47
8. "I Wrapped Her In Ribbons (After Ibiza)" – (lyrics: Copeland; music: Day) – 2:18
   • "Entracte: Ada Wulff November 12, 1956" – (Day) – 0:18
9. "Song To The City" – (lyrics: Copeland; music: Day) – 2:08
   • "Entracte: Aquel Cabellero" – (Anonymous [Spanish Renaissance], arranged by Ars Nova) – 0:55
10. "March Of The Mad Duke's Circus" – (lyrics: Copeland; music: Day) – 3:17

Personnel

• 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
• Maury Baker – drums, percussion, organ

Sunshine and Shadows (June 1969)

Side one

1. "Sunshine and Shadows" - (Collins, Day) - 3:02
2. "I Was Once" - (Wyatt Day) - 2:57
3. "Temporary Serenade" - (Collins, Day) - 3:00
4. "She Promises Everything" - (Copeland, Day) - 3:18
5. "Well, Well, Well" - (Wyatt Day) - 2:55

Side two

6. "You Had Better Listen" - (Jimmy Owens) - 4:07
7. "Round Once Again" - (Wyatt Day) - 3:16
8. "Walk On The Sand" - (Wyatt Day) - 6:20
9. "Rubbish" - (Wyatt Day) - 3:28
10. "Please Don't Go Now" - (Wyatt Day) - 5:41

Personnel

• Jon Pierson - lead vocals, bass trombone
• Wyatt Day - backing vocals, guitar
• Jimmy Owens - trumpet
• Warren Bernhardt - keyboard
• Sam Brown - lead guitar
• Art Koeing - bass
• Joe Hunt - drums, percussion

Singles

• "Pavane for My Lady" / "Zarathustra" (April 1968)
• "Fields of People" / "March of the Mad Duke's Circus" (September 1968)