Music:
Member Since: 5/5/2007
Band Website: www.myspace.com/thefivedeadlyvenoms
Band Members:
Elio Schiavo: Mandolin, Vocals Elio is a founding member of The Five Deadly Venoms, and a Philadelphia native. Elio moved to central California where he started playing music and attended Cabrillo College. He studied Jazz improvisation, arranging and theory with Ray Brown, as well as classical theory and ear training. During his ten years in California, Elio earned a reputation as a talented singer, instrumentalist, composer, and producer while working with David Tucker(Maria Muldaur), Dale Ockerman(Doobie Brothers, Zigaboo Modeliste), Will Russ(Mavis Staples), Tyran Porter(Doobie Brothers) and many other prominent Bay area musicians. In 2000 Elio moved to New Orleans, where he formed touring band Van 6 and released his first album "Child of Orbit"(Louisiana Red Hot Records 2001). He also worked as guitarist and producer for Cyril Neville and worked in pre-production with The Neville Brothers. He co-wrote and produced the title track for Cyrill's 2001 Tipitinas, "Just For The Funk Of It". After moving to New York City in 2002, Elio found his true calling in singing bluegrass an dplaying the bluegrass mandolin. In a short time he became a first-call player for many local bands in New York City's exploding bluegrass scene.
Rick Snell: Guitar, Vocals Rick started playing blues, jazz and bluegrass guitar at an early age. A New York Native, he has a BFA in Jazz Guitar and Composition from Purchase College Conservatory of Music. There he studied with some of the greatest living jazz musicians: Steve Khan, Mike Stern, Art Farmer and John Faddis, to name a few. Rick has performed and recorded with Dufus (ROIR), Blue Harvest, and Only Son (Cassette Recordings). His work with the McCabes and the David Munnelly Band has brought him acclaim as a picker well-versed in traditional Irish music, and has brought him before most of the major Irish festivals throughout the U.S. including the Kansas Irish Festival, the East Durham Irish Festival and the Newport Kentucky Irish Festival. He's involed with musical theatre, most notably in his role as first chair shred guitar for "Steel Pterodactyl" at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
Rob Hecht: Fiddle Rob grew up playing Bluegrass and Country music with father Bill Hecht (pianist, composition graduate from Berklee College of Music, pastor) in central Illinois. Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camp and mentor Casey Driessen played a big part in Rob's musical development. Rob then attended Downbeat award-winning Decatur MacArthur High School, where he played first tenor saxophone in their band, as well as violin and saxophone in the jazz combo. Rob also performed with the Heartland Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Doug Tidaback and Thomas Shabda Noor. Rob attended the William Patterson University in New Jersey where he pursued a degree in Jazz Studies. He resides in Brooklyn and performs regularly with Jeff Taylor, The Defibulators, Clay Ross and The Priggs. Rob Has recorded and/or performed with Vassar Clements, Casey Driessen, Noam Pikelny, Blue Merle, Elizabeth and the Catapult, and many other New York artists.
James Kerr: Dobro, Vocals. James is a New York native, and received formal training at the University of Michigan and Columbia University. He studied Jazz and music education with jazz greats Reggie Workman, Donald Walden and Rodney Whitaker. James was drawn to the sound of the Dobro listening to Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge. He has now become a Dobro and steel fixture on the New York Bluegrass scene performing and recording as a full time member of The Five Deadly Venoms. He also performs regularly with Citigrass and has shared the stage with Mike Gordon (Phish), Michael Travis(String Cheese Incident), jazz great Gene Bertoncini, and the Mobile Symphony Orchestra. James has enjoyed the opportunity to share bills with several of his musical heroes, including; Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Mark O'connor, Junior Brown, Double trouble, and Darol Anger. He recently won a top prize at the 2006 Roxbury Flatpick guitar contest.
Ian M. Riggs: Upright Bass Ian has sustained a diverse musical career as both a bassist and composer/arranger in New York City. He's performed and recorded with various ensembles, orchestras and musicians, including guitarist Doug Wamble, vocalist Jane Monheit, and legendary trombonist Roswell Rudd. He's lent his talents to theatre productions such as "Baal" by Berthold Brecht at the Flea Theatre, and "The Dinner Party" by Gabriella Barnstone, for which he was the musical director. His television appearances include the ESPN2 show; "Cold Pizza" in early 2004, playing with the band Gaelic Storm (featured in the film Titanic). Ian grew up in a musical family near Washington DC, attended the Oberlin Conservatory for two years, and then graduated from the Mannes College of Music/New School University in 1999 with a BFA. He has composed music for the independent feature film "Bloodsworth" and continues to work with many emerging artists in New York City.
Influences: Bill, Ralph, Del, Jerry, Beatles, Tony, Sam, Jeff, Peter, David, Amy, Dre, Police, Doc, Jerry, Lester, Ricky, Hank, Bryan, Chris, Biggie, Tim, Darrell, Bob, Bob, Alison, Joni, Monk, Mark, Speak, Dan, Larry, Edgar, Bjork, Jimmy, Floyd, Jimmy, Billy, John, Miles, Stevie, Bela, Led,
Sounds Like: You could use some more Bluegrass in your diet!!!
Record Label: Unsigned
