Nora Stanley is a New York-based saxophonist and composer whose interests and work live at the intersection of composed and improvised music. With strong roots in the jazz, afro-cuban and improvised music traditions, Nora’s music emphasizes interaction and collaboration. Her sound is melody-driven and reaches to expand the possibilities of the harmonic realm. Nora leads a quartet featuring her original compositions and co-leads a duo project with keyboardist Benny Bock, exploring sounds both acoustic and electric. The duo is slated to release their debut record on Colorfield Records in 2022. Nora has performed alongside Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusire and Chucho Valdes and appeared at venues such as Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz Port Townsend and SFJAZZ.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Nora holds a B.A. and B.M. from Oberlin College and Conservatory where she studied with Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson and Billy Hart. In 2017 she attended the School for Improvisational Music where she worked with Tim Berne, Ralph Alessi and Kris Davis. In line with her deep interest in other cultures and their music, Nora has studied and performed internationally in Spain, Cuba and Brazil.

Featured players – Noah Gershwin, Eric Vogler, and John Arkin.