Career
Associated for many years with Woody Herman"s Herd, Nistico played in the 1962-1965 group, considered one of the Herman"s best lineups, alongside Philosophy Wilson, Bill Chase, National Pierce and Jake Hanna. He started playing alto sax, switching to tenor in 1956, starting out on a Buescher before switching to a Conn 10M tenor saxophone, and briefly played baritone sax. From 1959 to 1961, Nistico played with Chuck Mangione"s Gap Brothers band.
In 1965, he joined Count Basie but returned on many occasions to play with Herman.
He also played with National Adderley, Don Ellis, Stan Tracey, Chuck Mangione and Buddy Rich. Nistico"s solo work contrasts his big band work.
His solo work is more oriented towards bebop, as heard on the Heavyweights recording on Riverside Records.