Paolo Nonnis

Paolo Nonnis is most notable for leading a big band in the 1990s that was stylistically close to the one that Buddy Rich had during the 1960s and '70s. Born in Italy, Nonnis started playing drums when he was 14 and moved to the United States in 1977. He considers his early influences to have been Gene Krupa, Joe Morello, and Max Roach. Nonnis played a wide variety of music in the Los Angeles area and in the early '80s led a rock big band; among his most notable associations as a sideman were the Al Raymond Big Band and a Stan Kenton tribute orchestra led by Dick Shearer. He led a Buddy Rich tribute band (that included Steve Marcus) during a tour of Italy in 1989, making a recording. Nonnis had an opportunity to play drums with the actual Buddy Rich Big Band during October 1989 through April 1990; Rich had passed away in 1987. Shortly ...
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