6/27/23 ~ Dan Pugach Big Band

Pugach is the leader of the Dan Pugach Nonet and the Dan Pugach Big Band, playing his original music and arrangements. The Nonet and Big Band tour regularly, and have played at Bird’s Eye Basel, The Zone in Tel Aviv, Blue Note Jazz, Birdland Jazz Club, The 55bar, Smalls Jazz Club, The Jazz Loft, The Jazz Estate, Stowe Jazz Festival and esteemed Performing Arts Centers across the country.
Dan’s debut nonet album, “Plus One” (2018), was released on UNIT Records and charted on jazz radio in the top 20. The album includes Dan’s arrangement of Jolene (Dolly Parton), which was nominated for a GRAMMY Award (Best Arrangement, Instruments with Vocals) alongside vocalist Zuraitis.
Currently, he lives both in Brooklyn, New York and Connecticut. Born In Israel, he served as the drummer for the Air Force Band in the IDF while attending the Rimon School of Jazz at the same time. Dan moved to the United States in 2006 and received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music, where he studied with Terri Lynn Carrington, Hal Crook, and Joe Lovano. He received his M.A. in music from the City College of New York, where he studied with Mike Holober and Scott Reeves.
His latest Big Band Album, “Bianca”, released in March 2024 on Outside in Music featured his original compositions.
“I cannot wait to perform at the 2024 Branford jazz Series with my 17-piece big band,” said Pugach. “Jazz on the Green is an iconic series in Connecticut and it is an absolute honor to be included in this legendary lineup.”

Dan Pugach