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Vampire Suit

About Me

'If Bram Stoker's imaginary Transylvania had a jazz scene, the music might sound something like this.'
-Jazz Review
Vampire Suit draws on Jay Vilnai's unique musical heritage as a Russian-Romanian-Polish descendant raised in Jerusalem around a mix of contemporary and traditional Jewish and Arab music, with a soul for rock n'roll and a BFA in jazz. Couple that with a passion for Bartok and Stravinsky and you end up with all original music that draws on all those influences to create something akin to traditional music for a generation that has so many traditions it calls his. Balkan and Middle-Eastern rhythms are prominent, backed by 20th century composing concepts and jazz improvising.
The result is a highly personal musical texture that takes you from the tribal dances of North Africa to the marshes of the Balkans. A musical journey that is at once personal and global, music that is at the same time unmistakably modern, yet feels old and familiar, a new tradition for a generation that hails from so many traditions.
‘The music has enduring beauty that touches on the heart of the Middle East's musical culture while exhibiting western flair. Open improvisations and the spirit of the belly dance coexist, encouraging the traditional undulated hip movements as a supplement to the solid instrumentation....’
-Frank Rubolino Cadence Magazine

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/01/2006
Band Website: http://www.vilnaismusic.com
Band Members: Jay Vilnai - Guitar
Skye Steele - Violin
Gary Pickard - Sax and Clarinet
Greg Heffernan - Cello
Rich Stein - Percussion

Others that have played with the band (brave souls all):
Jeremy Powell - Sax and Clarinet
John hadfield - Percussion
Matthew Silberman - Sax and Clarinet
Matt Kilmer - Percussion
Kevin Garcia - Percussion
Mike Savino - Bass
Influences: Turkish, Romanian, Bulgarian and Macedonian music
Arab music
Klezmer
John Zorn
Dave Douglas
Brad Shepik
Paradox Trio
Bela Bartok
Igor Stravinsky
probably a lot more...
Type of Label: Unsigned

My Blog

I hate mixing

but it's almost done. Spent a long time yesterday with Reuben Radding, who is mixing Vampire Suit's new record, and the music is quickly taking shape. Should be able to share some sounds with the worl...
Posted by on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:19:00 GMT

A New Song

So it's been over 3 years since Vampire Suit released its debut album. In that time we have developed as an ensemble and have mastered some new material. And last Tuesday, we finally took it to the st...
Posted by on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:10:00 GMT