AVI WISNIA

Think Ben Folds meets Norah Jones, if they had a lovechild in Brazil.

Singer/Songwriter Avi Wisnia presents an eclectic mix of refreshingly original songs, finding inspiration in classic Brazilian bossa nova, acoustic American folk, 1950’s west-coast jazz, and contemporary pop. A wordsmith as well as a composer and performer, Avi’s clever lyrics give a knowing nod to those that came before, while his smooth vocals and deft piano skills assure you that this is truly something new.

Fans say it is Avi Wisnia’s live performance that really captures his musical virtuosity, his humor and his energy. Avi showcases his own music with unexpected arrangements, and he experiments with contemporary pop tunes from artists like Lauryn Hill, Bjork, Wilco and The Cure, stripping them down, taking them apart and reviving them with a new dynamic spirit. Performing in both English and Portuguese, Avi and his talented ensemble also reinterpret the Bossa Nova classics that emerged from Brazil in the late 50′s and 60′s, revisiting legendary Brazilian musicians such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, Chico Buarque and Paulinho da Viola.

In the summer of 2007, after earning an enthusiastic following, Avi gathered a few of his band members in the sanctuary of the New Jersey synagogue where his father serves as rabbi to record his debut EP, “Avi Wisnia Presents:”. In 2 days, 7 tracks were recorded. The CD was released in the fall with sold-out shows at The Bitter End in NYC, where Avi lives, and at The Tin Angel in Philadelphia, where he is from.  His debut full-length studio album, “Something New”, showcases him as a formidable talent and a true artist on the rise.  Produced by Grammy-winner Glenn Barratt (Melody Gardot, Amos Lee), the album features Avi’s signature songwriting supported by lush arrangements in a variety of styles.  The album also features prominent local Phildelphia musicians including some supporting vocals from fellow songwriter Lizanne Knott.

Avi Wisnia currently divides his time between New York City and Philadelphia. He and his talented ensemble continue to play shows across the country, performing at such prestigious venues as The Kennedy Center and World Café Live, and in renown music festivals including SxSW and CMJ. Avi is a 2009 OutMusic Award Winner for Oustanding Jazz Song of the Year for his inventive cover of TLC’s “No Scrubs”.  Avi has also won CMJ’s Zig Zag Live Competition, was named a finalist in Rolling Rock’s National Band Search, and received several additional songwriting honors for his song “Rabbit Hole.” The music video for “Rabbit Hole” was honored as an Official Selection in 2010′s Florida Indie Film Festival and The Philadelphia Film Festival.  His music plays on radio stations across the country, with 88.5 WXPN’s Helen Leicht featuring him and his debut album as her Philly Local Pick April 2010.  His songs have been used in movies such as ”All Dressed Up” in addition to ABC, NBC and MNN TV Shows.  Avi Wisnia and his band have also shared the stage with such diverse artists as hip-hop legends The Roots, indie-rock darlings Au Revoir Simone and entertainer Tony Orlando.

Giving back and creating community through music has always remained a priority. In 2008, Avi created The No Brainer Benefit Concert with his family, which continues to raise funds and awareness for The National Brain Tumor Society. He has organized and hosted events like the annual Make Music New York Festival, The Bent Compass Party (for LGBT artists) and The House of Tribes Fundraiser (for Habitat for Humanity). Avi works with students, from high-schools to pre-schools, encouraging a new enthusiasm for music through discussions, workshops and interactive performances.  Avi is also the creator and ensemble director for The New York Megaphonica.

TORU TAKIGUCHI

Toru Takiguchi was born in a small Japanese town near Mt. Fuji. He was raised on music and nature. He shares his affinity for music with his family, his classical-pianist mother and flutist brother. Toru started to play the guitar at age 12. At 15, he joined a band and started to perform in local music venues. When he was 16, he was introduced to the Keith Jarrett CD, “The Paris concert”, which fueled his interest in jazz and his desire to amass a large CD collection. Toru played in rock bands throughout high school and listened to Jazz in his headphones. Soon afterwards, he back-packed through Asia and Europe, exploring different cultures, music and people, and he decided to come to New York.

Since moving to Brooklyn, Toru leads his own trio and has joined many kinds of groups/projects. He is a member of “Archtex Sounds”, the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church Musicians, and an artists’ group “momomo” in Japan. In addition, Toru gives private guitar lessons and teaches at The Japanese-American Society of New Jersey.

Toru has attended the Yamaha Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, studying with Tota Hiraga, Yuji Yamamoto, Sean Moran, Sebastian Noelle, Clinton Dadian, and Paul Oden.

KIM GAREY

Kim Garey has been playing drums since the age of 10, and has been studying, teaching, and performing on the instrument ever since.  She began to study music privately, then in her middle school and high school band and jazz band program, and then went on to study percussion and composition at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her double bachelor’s in Percussion performance and Music Composition, and her Masters in Music Composition. She has studied with such drum greats as Joe Morello, Michael Spiro, Matt Wilson, Steve Houghton, and Allison Miller.

A native of Kansas, she moved to the New York City Metro Area in March of 2006 and has been busy performing since she arrived.  She has worked with legendary jazz masters such as Don Braden, Junior Mance, and Tim Price.   She also performs with the Gina Fox Band, the Ryan Anselmi Quaret, and the Tim Price/Ryan Anselmi Tenor Maddness Ensemble.  You can keep in touch with her latest gigs at www.facebook.com/kimgarey.

GIL SMUSKOWITZ

Born and raised in Israel, Gil Smuskowitz quickly learned that his destiny lay in the field of agricultural politics. Fearing that his family would suffer from the repercussions of his liberal ideas, Gil grabbed the nearest bass and decided to disguise himself as a failed musician. Unfortunately, the disguise worked too well, and he ended up fooling himself.  Gil now seeks out a way to fulfill his destiny, in which baby carrots rule the world, and sweet potatoes are no longer feared or loathed.  He will someday find a way. Until then, he works as an office assistant by day, a musician for hire by night, and couch potato/carrot whenever possible.

photos by Hillary Yasmer Shemin

Additional Members

BJORN DELACRUZ
CHRIS HEINZ
BRIAN WOODRUFF
ADAM KABAK
VALERIE KUEHNE
JODIE KELLY
JOHN GUARI
BRUCE SOLOMON
DOV WISNIA
ELEANOR KAYE
ELIOT GLAZER