Welcome to the NOPO Big Band

Scott “Herm” Anderson

Musical Director

Before moving to Portland in late 2021, Scott Anderson performed at the top Chicago venues for 22 years, playing with many of the city’s finest musicians such as Howard Levy ( Bela Fleck), Pat Mallinger, Roger Ingram, Dana Hall, Scott Burns, Marquis Hill, and Matt Ullery.
Scott is also the bandleader and composer for his original jazz project, the Nia Quintet. The band has released three critically acclaimed albums, End of Time, Earth Sign and Nia Quintet, Music by Scott Anderson. The albums have received rave reviews from publications such as Jazz Times, Cadence Magazine, Chicago Jazz Magazine, and have charted on national radio programs across North America.

He has played festivals around the country and abroad, such as the Chicago Jazz Festival, Pittsburgh Mellon Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival and the Blues Passions Festival in Cognac, France. Over the course of his career, Scott has had opportunities to perform with jazz luminaries such as Akira Tana, Rufus Reid, Tim Hagans, Fred Hersch, Walt Weiskopf, Freddie Redd, Jack McDuff, Don Braden, Roger Humphries, and more

Since moving to Portland Scott has performed at Portland’s top jazz club the 1905, with some of Portland’s top musicians, including George Colligan, John Nastos, Joe Manis, Randy Porter, Greg Goebel, Ed Bennett, and Tim Wilcox. Most recently he performed with the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble with an all star cast of musicians including, Dan Balmer, Clay Giberson, Bill Athens, Jason Palmer, John Nastos and Renato Caranto.

… and the evening was rounded out by a fabulous 2 hour set of live music from you – the wonderful NoPo Big Band!  We hope you’ll participate again in 2019!”

Kirsten, Care Partners

Thank you for making last night possible!  It was a terrific way to culminate a day of Celebrating Arts in the Arts Extravaganza and Arts in Education Week! Even the weather cooperated!     Please thank everyone that was involved!  Looking forward to next year and perhaps some additional opportunities as well.  Again, a HUGE Thank You!!

Mike, Arts Extravaganza
It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play. 
I don’t care much about music. What I like is sounds.
Men have died for this music. You can’t get more serious than that.
Dizzy Gillespie
Many critics always saw and heard that my style comes from Roy Eldridge, which is true. But for many things, not only how to play the trumpet but the way to choose the notes, how to play them and how to phrase all of them, I took that from Sweets [Edison]. He really brought something new to the trumpet.
Dizzy Gillespie
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Music is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. It is the greatest gift anyone can give.

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