Ian Narcisi began his music endeavors in 1983 by taking drum lessons from Mark Anderson at Roselle Music in Roselle, Illinois . After seven years of preparation Ian went on to audition at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois where he resided for three years earning his Associates in music. During his time at the conservatory Ian was trained by the likes of Brad Stirtz (vibraphonist on Janice Borlas Agents of Change, Director of Music at Peace Lutheran Church), Greg Shearer (jazz arranger/guitartist), jazz sextet (voice), arranger, Mark Smith (Double tenor pans..lead soloist for Pan Go Steel Band), for drum set/steel drums, and Hans Wurman (piano/composition), for piano/composition. During this time (1990 thru 1993), Ian performed at several clubs in the Chicago Metro Area as a drummer and backup singer for several aspiring local area experimental rock groups: Russ James, The College of Complex, Minds Eye, Population 3. Local clubs Ian performed at during this time are as follows: Club Stodola, Gunther Murphys, Phyllis Musical Inn, The Beat Kitchen, as well Subterranean.
In the fall of 1996 Ian began voice training with opera singer Janice Pantazelos at the Chicago Studio for Professional Singers and has sung accapella at various churches and vocal recitals around Chicago. The lure of rock and roll pulled Ian into his own musical projects. In the spring of 1998 Ian wrote a collection of his own body of work. Ian composed his own songs writing all lyrics, and composing all music on the piano. Ian sang lead for the 8 songs written.The new millennium introduced innovative rock bands to Ian. Drumming and backup/lead vocals became commonplace. Tours in nearby states as well as larger Chicago clubs: Double Door, The Patio (Indianapolis), The House of Blues Chicago (main stage), and the The Blind Pig (Michigan State University), with local artists: The Ghettobillies (Ian played acoustic drums/backup voice) and Scottish McMillan (Ian played Roland Vdrums/backup voice), occurred on a regular basis. In the autumn of 2004 Ian joined The Sundogs and played several dozen clubs around the Chicago area as the drummer, backup singer, and lead singer. The Sundogs called it quits during the spring of 2006. In August of 2006 Ian released "Off Purpose" (full band version). In July of 2006 Ian reunited with friend Scottish McMillan forming the band Tinwhisker. Ian played acoustic drums and sang backup. Tinwhisker played several shows in and around the Chicago area before calling it quits in May of 2007. In the summer of 2007 Ian recorded his third EP entitled "Niche In Time" with sound engineer..co-producer Tim Sandusky. Performing on "Niche In Time" are master bassist..guitarist Erik Swanson (fretted 5-string, frettless 4-string, frettled 7-string electric bass on all 4 songs), master singer/songwriter/musician David Kav (12-string acoustic guitar, 6-string electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica on "Burning", "Trouble Free" and "RAID 5"), and master finger tappist, guitarist, songwriter Andreas Kapsalis (spanish guitar, classical guitar, bazuki, "unicorn" guitar) on "Throw It Away". Ian, as with "Off Purpose", is the pianist, drummer and singer for all 4 songs. In the winter of 2008 Ian created his first full-length "Weight Of The Words." This CD combines old and new. Both EP's "Off Purpose" and "Niche In Time" are merged with six brand new songs that Ian created in the autumn of 2007. This 13 song CD is currently available FOR FREE UNTIL JUNE 1st on Ian's main web site ianmusic.com . Performing on "Weight Of The Words" are bassist and all around nice guy Erik Swanson and master guitarist David Bowers. Ian, once again, plays keyboards, drums and vocals. On April 28th, 2008 the "Weight Of The Words" physical CD will be available on CDBaby.com and will be available soon after on many MP3 download sites including iTunes, Napster and MP3.com.
Ian is planning a new EP to be released in November 2008. Stay tuned!
