Initially a duo featuring Az Samad and various guitarists including Magnus Lindstrom (Sweden), Shane Kelley (Laurel, Mississippi), Dave Molk (Connecticut), Dylan Kay (London, UK) and Michael Borgida (California) as well as British violinist Helen Sherrah Davies - Az & The Jazz Strings has evolved to become a unique string trio (and sometimes quartet with the addition of cellist Shelley Leong).
They continue to perform every Saturday in the various configurations since Fall 2005 in La Lunna Caffe, Cambridge,MA. To contact the band for bookings, e-mail azjazzstrings at gmail dot com.
About Az:
One of 17 Malaysia's most outstanding individuals (Faces Magazine), acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Az Samad is a full-time musician who focuses on writing original instrumental guitar music. Az has performed in venues in Malaysia, Singapore, England and the United States in various settings including solo, duos and in different bands. His first solo album "Acoustic Gestures" (2004) received critical acclaim when released in Malaysia. He is currently writing material for his second album slated for release in Summer 2008.
About Helen:
Coming from the Classical tradition, Helen saw the light and has since been attracted to the dark side of jazz and other improvising traditions. Trans-stylistic in nature, she will require several lifetimes to get anywhere near the vision of music beyond
notes....loves watching clouds, trees, flowers, oceans....and just loves the 'jazz strings' combo to fulfill some of these fantasies....For further facts and sounds see myspace.com/helensherrahdavies
About Mike:
Michael Borgida is a Californian currently residing in Boston and attending Berklee College of Music. He is also a proud member of Az and the Jazz Strings with whom he has been playing for the past 6 months at the renowned La Luna Cafe' every Saturday. He is looking forward to upcoming gigs on the west coast with the same trio, which will lead to a world wide tour.
