New Nostalgia is a Chicago-based fusion horn band formed in 2017. Led by saxophonist and award-winning composer/arranger Neil Carson, the 9-piece band blends the sophistication of jazz, the accessibility of pop, and the raw intensity of rock into a genre-defying experience. Known for their intricate-yet-catchy arrangements and virtuosic ensemble playing, New Nostalgia delivers a compelling mix of original compositions and reimagined covers that captivate both seasoned listeners and new audiences alike. New Nostalgia's vision has been the same since the beginning: to create music for your head and for your heart, fusing the improvisational depth of jazz with the powerful hooks and emotional immediacy of popular music. Their debut performance in a small Glenview coffee shop began a journey that has taken New Nostalgia to venues and festivals across the Midwest including the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Blue Llama Jazz Club, Logan Square Arts Fest and more. New Nostalgia has received two ISJAC (International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers) awards, and earned praise from DownBeat Magazine, who described their debut album as “power-polychord instrumental rock at its finest...embracing a rock aesthetic while showcasing fiery improvisations.” Their 2019 self-titled debut featured genre-bending arrangements of iconic 1980s pop tunes, while their pandemic-era remote EP Frankenstein Sessions showcased a harder rock edge. With their second studio album releasing in December 2025 and a midwest tour on the horizon for early 2026, New Nostalgia continues to push boundaries––proving that complexity and groove aren’t mutually exclusive. Whether in an intimate club or on a festival stage, New Nostalgia offers a bold, fresh take on instrumental music: intellectually rigorous, emotionally resonant, and always electrifying.