JASON ERAZO'S NEW BAND IS ASSEMBLED!!! THE ELECTRONIC VIBRATIONS ORCHESTRA is in full swing and will begin their winter tour in mid November. Click the link to reach the new group!
ALL OF THE INFORMATION REGARDING MEMBERS IS NOW INVALID. BEYOND THE NILE AS YOU KNOW IT HAS DISBANDED.
Beyond the Nile originated as a glimmer of an idea in the mind of hip-hop vocalist and composer Jason Erazo while studying at the prestigious Hartt School of Music in Connecticut. After meeting classmates Cory Sims [drums] and Steve Quam [bass guitar], Jason invited them to play in his new experimental hip-hop group. The self-taught keyboardist, Randy Calderone, joined Beyond the Nile shortly thereafter, during a filming session for Jason's music video for his solo song, "Into the Light," which Calderone directed. After breezing through a few guitarrists, two days before the first show, Hartt School electric guitarrist Steve Elmy joined the band at Sims' request and completed the lineup of musicians that would last for over another year. In May of 2005, Randy Calderone withdrew his membership from BTN, and Jason has now taken over the role of keyboardist.
Blending the elements of the hip-hop world and the jam band world proved to be a viable combination, for a short time. Soon enough, the jam band aspect of Beyond the Nile's music took over, catapulting their styles into various genres, such as rock&roll, reggae, electronic, funk, and jazz in addition to the hip-hop. Hailed as the Hartt School of Music's masters of the art of free form improvisation, Beyond the Nile has taken the Hartford area of CT by storm, and will shortly be expanding its reach.
Jason Erazo, front man of Beyond the Nile, grew up in Demarest, NJ and has studied trombone for fourteen years, under trombone greats Jonathan Greenberg, Timothy Conner (University of Miami), and the legendary Ronald Borror (Hartt School). He is a self-taught pianist who now studies with jazz pianist Peter Woodard. Since the age of fourteen, Jason has been involved in recording and hip-hop projects and now studies music production at the Hartt School.
Cory Sims, drummer, is a native of Damariscotta, Maine. He has been studying drums for eight years under such rhythm greats as Tony Leone and Steve Grover. Cory majors in music management and jazz studies at the Hartt School.
Steve Quam, bassist of Beyond the Nile, comes from Oak Hill, Virginia. He has studied bass for eight years, culminating with his study under jazz bass legend Nat Reeves at the Hartt School. Quam majors in acoustics & music, a rigorous combination of engineering, audio, and music.
Steve Elmy, lead guitarrist, is originally from Malvern, Pennsylvania and has been playing the guitar for twelve years. He studied under the notable guitarrist Sean Townsend and keyboardist Ron Thomas. He currently majors in jazz studies at the Hartt School.
Beyond the Nile recently announced its upcoming album slated to be released in late 2005. BTN has shared the stage with such touring acts as the Bridge and Freekbass, as well as local acts such as Splitstream and the Woodshed. Beyond the Nile live music is now available in high grade audio quality on archive.org in the live audio section.
To contact Beyond the Nile, please send questions, comments, booking inquiries, or anything else to Jason Erazo via email @ [email protected] , telephone @ (201) 341-9143, or AIM @ "fallen rasta".
