Nevala began studying piano at an early age and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Boise State University, a Masters in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado, and a doctorate in piano performance with a jazz emphasis from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was the first doctoral Student in the Jazz Studies Program.
[1] He is currently Director of Jazz Studies at Jacksonville State University, in Jacksonville, Alabama[2] and was formerly Coordinator of Jazz Studies at California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, California.
[3] Under his direction, JSU Jazz Ensemble I has won two Downbeat Student Music Awards,[4] and his groups have performed at the Jazz Educators Network Conference and the Alabama Music Educators Conference.
[5] As a professional musician, he has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra,[6] Steve Lippia,[7] Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra,[2] Eddie Turner,[8] the ProJazzTrio, and the Andy Nevala Quartet.
[9] 2022 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Outstanding Performance, Undergraduate Big Band, Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble I, Director[4][10] 2015 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Outstanding Performance, Undergraduate Big Band, Jacksonville State University Jazz Ensemble I, Director[4][2] 2003 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Arrangement, “Autumn Leaves”[11] 2003 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Outstanding Performance, Big Band, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, Pianist[11] 2002 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Outstanding Performance, Original Composition, ‘Nocturne’, Composer/Performer[11] 2002 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Outstanding Performance, College Instrumental Group, University of Colorado Combo 1, Pianist[11] 2000 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Best College Jazz/Rock Group, UNC Combo I, Director and Performer 2000 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Best Vocal Jazz Group, UNC Sus 4, Rehearsal Pianist and Performer 1999 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Best College Jazz/Rock Performance, UNC Combo II, Director and Performer 1999 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Best Vocal Jazz Group, UNC Sus 4, Rehearsal Pianist and Performer 2019, Big Band of Brothers, A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band, New West Records[12] 2018, Nevala, Brothers, Carswell, Kozak, Three Times Two, Girod Records[13] 2014, Orquesta Dharma, La Clave Del Gumbo[14] 2011, Orquesta Dharma, Road Warrior[15] 2007, Alone Together, Capri Records[16] 2006, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, CU Over The Rainbow, University of Colorado College of Music, Jazz Studies Program[17] 2005, ProJazzTrio, Live From Venezuela 2005, Conjunto Colores, Con Colores Se Goza 2004, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, CU ‘Round Midnight, University of Colorado College of Music, Jazz Studies Program[18] 2003, One For the Road, The Cornerstone Trio, Glenn Miller Productions[19] 2002, Conjunto Colores, On Another Level 2000, Waiting In the Alley 2002, Conjunto Colores, Lo Mejor Del Conjunto Colores 2001, University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I, Boulder Buff – A Tribute To Glenn Miller, University of Colorado College of Music[20] 2000, UNC Jazz Lab Band I, Alive XVII, United Jazz Artists[21] 2000, Suzanne Morrison, From Where you Are 2000, Carrie Schultz, Introducing Carrie Schultz 1999, Conjunto Colores, MI Planeta 1998, Steve Roach, No Way Out 1997, Rebecca Scott Decision, United 1997, Robert Walker, Art of the Groove