Biography
Aurora Nealand is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and sound artist based in New Orleans, Louisiana, known for her innovative approach to jazz and experimental music. Born on May 28 in California, Nealand moved to New Orleans where she immersed herself in the city’s rich musical traditions, learning from elders and participating in street performances, clubs, and second-line parades. Her work is deeply rooted in the lineage of New Orleans jazz, but she also draws inspiration from the AACM, musique concrète, and collage-based sound art. Nealand leads several ensembles, most notably The Royal Roses and The Monocle, both of which explore collective improvisation and the sonification of everyday objects and stories. Her music often blurs the lines between traditional jazz, free jazz, ragtime, and avant-garde, creating a unique sonic landscape that reflects her interest in the history and stories embedded in sound.
Nealand’s career has been marked by a commitment to community engagement and education. She has worked extensively with organizations such as Found Sound Nation, facilitating international musical collaborations and residencies, and has been involved with the Walden School for Young Composers for over two decades. Her projects, including the City Songs initiative and the theatrical production KindHumanKind, demonstrate her ability to blend music, storytelling, and social practice. Nealand’s work has been recognized with numerous awards and residencies, including at the MacDowell Colony and the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center. She continues to be a prominent figure in the New Orleans music scene, inspiring a new generation of musicians and artists.
Fun Facts
- Aurora Nealand is known for her interest in the sonification of everyday objects, often incorporating the sounds of everyday life into her music.
- She has a particular fondness for the sound of eggs frying in oil, which she finds rich with layers and textures.
- Nealand has performed at major international festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Berlin Jazz Festival, and Istanbul Jazz Festival.
- She was voted 'Best Female Performer' and 'Best Traditional Jazz Band' in the New Orleans Off-Beat Awards.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- New Orleans Elders - Nealand learned from elders in the New Orleans jazz community, absorbing the traditions and stories that shape her music. (New Orleans Traditional Jazz) [2004-present]
- Pauline Oliveros - Nealand has worked with and been influenced by the experimental composer and improviser Pauline Oliveros. (Various collaborations and performances) [2004-present]
Key Collaborators
- Tim Berne - Nealand has performed and recorded with saxophonist Tim Berne in the Oceans & Trio. (Oceans & Trio) [2004-present]
- Hank Roberts - Nealand has collaborated with cellist Hank Roberts in the Oceans & Trio. (Oceans & Trio) [2004-present]
- John Hollenbeck - Nealand has performed with John Hollenbeck’s GEORGE ensemble. (GEORGE) [2004-present]
- Preservation Hall Allstars - Nealand has performed with the Preservation Hall Allstars. (Various performances) [2004-present]
- Bill Frisell - Nealand has collaborated with guitarist Bill Frisell. (Various performances) [2004-present]
- David Torn - Nealand has worked with guitarist David Torn. (Various performances) [2004-present]
- Arto Lindsey - Nealand has collaborated with guitarist Arto Lindsey. (Various performances) [2004-present]
- Germaine Bazzle - Nealand has performed with vocalist Germaine Bazzle. (Various performances) [2004-present]
- John Boutte - Nealand has collaborated with vocalist John Boutte. (Various performances) [2004-present]
- Johnny Vidacovich - Nealand has worked with drummer Johnny Vidacovich. (Various performances) [2004-present]
Artists Influenced
- Walden School for Young Composers - Nealand has taught and performed at the Walden School for Young Composers, influencing young composers and musicians. (Walden School for Young Composers) [2004-present]
- SONO (Sound Observatory New Orleans) - Nealand co-founded SONO, which supports workshops of new music in the New Orleans region, inspiring and mentoring local musicians. (SONO) [2004-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| On a Painted Ocean | 2025-04-04 | Album |
| Live at Preservation Hall: A Tribute to Sidney Bechet | 2010-10-25 | Album |
| The Monocle: KindHumanKind | 2024-06-14 | Album |
| The LookBack Transmission : Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses | 2014-04-12 | Album |
| In New Orleans, Vol. 2 | 2025-07-11 | Album |
| Live at Luthjen's | 2020-02-14 | Album |
| Oceans And | 2023-04-21 | Album |
| Comeback Children : Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses | 2016-04-06 | Album |
| Rory Danger & The Danger Dangers : The Age of Invention | 2023-11-11 | Album |
| Oceans And | 2023-04-21 | Album |
| Rory Danger & The Danger Dangers : The Age of Exploration | 2015-11-11 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Cloud Prints (On a Painted Ocean)
- Parade (On a Painted Ocean)
- Blue Horizon - Live (Live at Preservation Hall: A Tribute to Sidney Bechet)
- Cloud Prints (Cloud Prints)
- Ferry Man (The LookBack Transmission : Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses)
- Petite Fleur - Live (Live at Preservation Hall: A Tribute to Sidney Bechet)
- Shag (The LookBack Transmission : Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses)
- Si Tu Vois Ma Mere - Live (Live at Preservation Hall: A Tribute to Sidney Bechet)
- Nous Les Cuisiniere (The LookBack Transmission : Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses)
- The Mooche - Live (Live at Preservation Hall: A Tribute to Sidney Bechet)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
aurora nealand, the monocle has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2026 | 23:29 | shall not wantfrom the monocle kindhumankind | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 12:37 | arcade lights | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Sep 12, 2025 | 11:18 | Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerichofrom Comeback Children | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk |