LIVE:
MARK MARSHALL: musical director, acoustic/electric guitars, mellotron
SEAN DIXON: drums/percussion
CATHERINE POPPER: bass
GENE BACK: violin
on CURRICULUM (2009):
ABBY AHMAD: producer, acoustic/electric guitars, piano, percussion, vocals
MARK MARSHALL: producer, electric guitars, bass, drums, percussion, programming
NATHAN ROSENBERG: producer, piano, percussion, background vocals
MICHAEL LEONHART: flugelhorn, french horn, mellophone, trumpet, percussion
STEVEN BERNSTEIN: trumpet, alto horn
CLARK GAYTON: trombone, tuba
ERIK LAWRENCE: soprano saxophone
GENE BACK: violin
TREVOR EXTER: cello
SEAN DIXON: drums
MORGAN PAIGE McOWEN: background vocals
on THE REARVIEW (2006):
ABBY AHMAD: producer, 6/12 string acoustic guitars, vocals
MATT ZEIGLER: producer, electric guitar, banjo
CHRIS ANDERSON, JON COATES: electric/upright bass
MIKE CRIVELLONE, JON PECKMAN, ERTAN SEYAR SENER: drums/percussion
NEAL HUMPHREYS:(cello)
BILLY MEGOFNA: electric guitar/dobro
OMER SHEMESH: piano
DANIELLE TURANO: violin
BILL WALLACH:mandolin
MATT ZEINER: B3
Influences
MUSICAL: Ryan Adams. Tori Amos. Fiona Apple. The Band. Beck. Erykah Badu. The Beatles. Bjork. Edie Brickell. Bright Eyes. James Brown. Jason Robert Brown. Jeff Buckley. Neko Case. Eva Cassidy. Cat Power. Chamberlain. Ray Charles. Paula Cole. Nikka Costa. Ani DiFranco. The Doors. Nick Drake. Bob Dylan. Feist. Ella Fitzgerald. Aretha Franklin. Jose Gonzalez. Patty Griffin. Emm Gryner. Ben Harper. P.J. Harvey. Richie Havens. Hem. Iron and Wine. Janis Joplin. Jurrasic 5. Kaki King. Leo Kottke. Ray LaMontagne. Led Zeppelin. Annie Lennox. M.I.A. Joni Mitchell. Modest Mouse. Nirvana. Joan Osborne. Pearl Jam. Portishead. Radiohead. Bonnie Raitt. R.E.M. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Damien Rice. The Roots. Sigur Ros. Simon & Garfunkle. Nina Simone. Regina Spektor. Squirrel Nut Zippers. Cat Stevens. Sufjan Stevens. Stone Temple Pilots. Sun Kil Moon. Sunny Day Real Estate. Sarah Vaughan. The Velvet Underground. Rufus Wainwright. Tom Waits. Bill Withers. Stevie Wonder.
LITERARY: Maya Angelou. David Ives. Heather Raffo. Anne Sexton. William Shakespeare. Shel Silverstein. Paula Vogel. Richard Wilbur.
With edgy, intelligent lyrics and hypnotic melodies, Abby Ahmad's music is as passionate as it is profound. Bridging genres of folk-rock, blues, and alternative, Abby's percussive guitar style and arresting vocals captivate and challenge her audiences. Emotionally-charged, yet playful, she is at once in your face and in your heart.
Curriculum, (the follow up to her acclaimed debut, The Rearview), marks a metaphoric and musical evolution for the 27-year old songwriter. Inspired by the thrilling yet frenetic challenges of being an emerging musician in NYC, Curriculum documents the path to independence (both musical and personal) navigating the many lessons learned along the way.
The album’s production values were crafted with a similar mentality. Abby teamed up with Brooklyn-based producers Mark Marshall and Nathan Rosenberg. Together, they have produced an organic, searing portrait of sound and emotion.
Adding to the album’s sonic maturity and authenticity are a stellar lineup of NY musicians including Clark Gayton, Steven Bernstein, and Erik Lawrence (who comprise the horn section for legendary musician Levon Helm) and Grammy Award winning multi-instrumentalist, Michael Leonhart.
Curriculum is slated for release in Fall 2009.
DOWNLOAD "GOING GONE" THE FIRST SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM, CURRICULUM!
"Urban folk diva Abby Ahmad comes roaring in like a reality freight train. Wistful, literal, and occasionally confrontational and cathartic, the young Ms. Ahmad emerges as an authoritative singer, songwriter, and an accomplished guitarist. A talent this promising cannot go unnoticed by the mainstream for long."
-Tom Semioli, Minor 7th Webzine
"Big Bang" @ World Cafe Live. Philadelphia, PA. (2009)
"Delicate" (Damien Rice cover, 2009)
"Going Gone" Live @ The Living Room, NYC (2009)
"In Favor of Braver Parts" (2009)
"Picket Lines" Live @ Rockwood Music Hall, NYC (2009) Featuring:
Mark Marshall: acoustic guitar
You probably never read these, but on the off chance that you might, I just wanted to say that you are so much of what I aspire to be. Your music always brings me back to the better parts of myself. Thank you.
hey abby, meant to say last night at bar 4 how much i enjoyed your set, you're superb! love the electric too :) great to meet you and a pleasure to share the stage with you. all the best!
abby whats up i just watched ur videos there awesume i c ur dad at the gym he said u got a new album coming out just wanted to say goodluck, joe stuppino
Facebook/Myspace stalking you and gorging on all the new songs and videos I haven't checked out yet. So good! I LOVE Star Pupil! I can't wait to hear the new album---and I can't wait to hear it live as well! I miss watching you play! Much Love. S
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