THE NOVA MOB
Wacko Jazz
[spring/summer 1974]
Influences: Avant Garde Bebop Neo Classical
Johnny Ellis: Drums, voice, composer
Ben Miller: Alto Saxophone, composer
Laurence Miller: Bb and Bass Clarinet, composer
Donnie Davis: Alto Saxophone, composer
Conrad Gary Csogi {alternating w/Johnny}: Drums
of THE CRUZONIC MUSIC ENSEMBLE. The Mob formed shortly after The Ensemble's concert at Berklee College
February 1974. Though still retaining a lose free form improvisation, The Mob's compositions became
more closely knit and of higher contrast as opposed to the heavier handed Cruzonic approach.
The Heart of THE NOVA MOB below
[June 1974 Boston]
LAURENCE: snorkel BEN: spray paint, etc. JOHNNY: cymbal for a hat and...
By late 1973 Laurence was reported to waking up to music in his head composed by the clanking rhythms of the steam radiator in his bedroom. Inspired by this random subconscious intrusion, he devised a simple, barbaric system he called
Mirror Image Harmony. This paved the way for creative arbitrary guess work in composition, as close to John Cage as
Laurence ever hoped.
"Mirror Image..."
" ____________ "
expressing attitude on the roof of Symphony Road apartments in Boston summer 1974
The music of THE NOVA MOB will some day be digitally remastered and
