For If The Flies - ProfilesArchive

About Me

NOT yo' daddy's jazz band...For if the Flies has blended modern styles like House, Trance, Jungle, Drum-n-Bass, Hip-Hop, and Salsa with jazz improvisations since 1998. "It's a way to fool the common listener into diggin' jazz, as well as fooling the avid jazz listener into enjoying more modern grooves" says saxophonist Juan Turros. "Everybody wins!" Drummer Ivan Zervigon states, "It's taken a little while to catch on, but it seems that we're really hitting it off with our fans right now."The members, all from diverse cultural backgrounds, have one thing in common: a bi-cultural experience. "I think that's why it all works" says keyboardist Gabriel Saientz. "Think about it. You put 6 musicians together from Miami, New York City, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Argentina, and they've all lived the American experience for at least a decade. It's a recipe for some verly interesting music."The newest band members not listed are saxophonist Dave Fernandez and percussionist Jose Gregorio Hernandez. Dave has worked with many artists including Gloria Estefan, Chayane, KC and the Sunshine Band, and RafaÃ©l. Jose Gregorio has toured with Englebert Humperdinck and is one of the top session percussionists in the South Florida area. Two very refreshing entities in FITF's new sound.Because of Gabriel Saientz's busy schedule with jazz flautist Nestor Torres and his involvement with numerous other projects, we have had the extreme pleasure to be working with keyboardist, Hugo Sanchez. The Venezuelan-born Sanchez earned his BA from the University of New Orleans under the direction of Ellis Marsalis, and is now earning his MA in studio music from the Nationally-acclaimed University of Miami School of Music.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/18/2005
Band Website: foriftheflies.com
Band Members:

Juan Turros. Saxophone. Born and raised in Miami, Juan Turros has been a part of South Florida music scene since graduating from Miami Sr. High in 1991. Since then he has performed or recorded with Tropica Salsa artists WILLY CHIRINO, CELIA CRUZ, ROLANDO LASERIE, HANSEL Y RAUL, LA INDIA, GILBERTO SANTA ROSA, JOSE FELICIANO, AND HUEY DUNBAR OF DLG. He has also worked with a number of jazz and pop artitists including DAVID LEE ROTH, KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND, MAYNARD FERGUSON, ARTURO SANDOVAL, JOHN FADDIS, JIM PUGH, NESTOR TORRES, THE FOUR FRESHMEN, THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER and DIANE SCHUUR. Juan earned his BA degree from Florida International University under the tutelage of Gary Campbell and his MA from the University of Illinois under the tutelage of Chip McNeill.

Ivan Zervigon, Percussion/Drums. Born in New York City, Ivan has relocated to Miami and enjoyed the fruits of the local music community. His energetic and diverse playing style has awarded him the opportunity to play and record with the likes of SHAKIRA, PAULINA RUBIO, WILLY CHIRINO, ROBERTO TORRES, AMANDO MANZANERO, CELIA CRUZ, NESTOR TORRES, ARTURO SANDOVAL and HUEY DUNBAR OF DLG. Ivan was also the national winner of the 1996 Guitar Center Drum off, a distinguished competition for the nations best unsigned drummer.

Javi Carrion, Bass. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Javi spends most his time in the studio where he engineers or records tracks for Latin artists such as GLORIA ESTEFAN, CHAYANE, PAULINA RUBIO, DONATO Y ESTEFANO, RAUL DIBLASIO, and ED CALLE. He has also toured with KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND, HUEY DUNBAR OF DLG, CHAYANE, and JON SECADA.

Gabriel Saientz, Piano/keyboards. From Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gabriel has moved to Miami and got his Studio/Jazz Performance degree at the University of Miami. His Versatility allowed him to work with NESTOR TORRES, ROBERTO PERERA, SHALIM, MSM, GIANMARCO, MELTON MUSTAFA'S BIG BAND, and many others. Nowadays, he spends most of the time writing, producing music for TV, and managing a non-profit organization.

Influences: Jamiroquai, The Propellerheads, Bob Mintzer, Joe Henderson, Jaco Pastorious, Vinnie Colliuta, Horacio Hernandez, Jack Dejohnette, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Irakere, Carlos Infante, Bjork and of course...Charlie Parker. Not really, though.
Sounds Like: Jamiroquai meets Tito Puente...but better.
Record Label: none (yet)
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

FITF @ Transit Lounge tonight!

Man,I sure hope you guys come out to see us tonight. We have a couple of new songs ready for you to enjoy. We're gonna be playing our usual bust-you-upside-yo-noggin-type-of-stuff, with a little 80's ...
Posted by For If The Flies on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:51:00 PST

J.A.M. recap: Amazing!

For those who weren't there,Last night was the type of night that happens quite infrequently. When the musical gods aren't at odds, and they decide to make everything align. They make everything seeml...
Posted by For If The Flies on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 08:09:00 PST