Music:
Member Since: 12/28/2005
Band Website: michaelbellar.com
Band Members: Michael Bellar - keys and such, Brad Wentworth - drums and such, Robert "Johnson" Jost - bass and oh such
Influences: nusrat, michael hedges, woody allen, spud webb and biscuitville
Sounds Like: "howard roark laughing" the AS-IS Ensemble LIVE VIDEO CLIPS filmed and edited my marie le claire-http://www.myspace.com/meemer40
BUY the CD "Like It Is" at iTunes!!!! here's the link
OR..You can buy a hard copy HERE
Review of "Like It Is" from Keyboard magazine .....Sporting track names like Big ole Yummy and The Gringo Shake, Michael Bellar's self-produced album is every bit as fun and quirky as its song titles imply. Using everything from acoustic piano to accordion and Wurly to pump organ, Michael creates energetic, multi-layered compositions that hold together despite their plentiful sonic variations. Funky grooves and creative percussion pervade and help accent Michael's significant chops. Thanks to his wah'd out Wurly work, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is a delicate and wistful treat and framed by strong piano playing, Tango Esperanza is a highly-danceable accordion showcase. For joyfully proving himself to be a playful keyboard polymath, Michael Bellar is Keyboard Magazines Unsigned Artist of the Month..Michael Gallant -
KEYBOARD MAGAZINE
“GENERATION NEXT"... "Close your eyes, and you can (almost) imagine them playing an outdoor festival for tie-dye kids one day and a New York jazz club the next.†Steve Graybow, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
“Their swing is pop savvy, their mainstream is avant flecked, and their whimsy has an earnest base.†“It takes chutzpah - this electrocoustic quintet has as much ambition as it does chops.†Jim Macnie, THE VILLAGE VOICE
“And now for something completely different.†Laura Zapp, THE CHARLESTON CITY PAPER
“Spontaneity, spirit and surprise†- “bewitching and often exotic†Ed Bumgardner, WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL
.....the AS-IS Ensemble is moving the concept of the jazz trio into some interesting and exciting new territory…... easily and quickly take their place alongside jam jazz favorites like the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Medeski, Martin and Wood. Dave Terpeny - Kynd Music Review
“the AS-IS Ensemble is, in a world of wannabe jazz outfits, the real thing†- “glorious improvisation†Marsha Barber, ASHEVILLE MOUNTAIN XPRESS
“The overall effect is joyous.†Lois Welk, Presenter and Artistic Director – 171 Cedar Arts Center
Type of Label: Indie
