BERKANA is the latest incarnation of NAT JANOFF GROUPS featuring jazz/fusion guitarist Nat Janoff, Rave Tesar (of prog rocker Annie Haslam's Rennaisance group) on keys and left-hand bass, and one of NYC's underground favorites on drums, Ray LeVier (of the KJ Denhert band). Compared to Shawn Lane, Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe's group as well as Scofield and Aquarium Rescue Unit, BERKANA jams and grooves at their packed live shows. Check out BERKANA's debut self-titled CD that was just released in April 2005. You won't be sorry!
RAVE TESAR Founding member of jazz/fusion group, Avenues, Rave Tesar may be best known for his performances with Annie Haslam's Renaissance. A prolific composer, Mr. Tesar has licenced his work to many commercial applications. He has performed and contributed to the ongoing PBS series, "Exploring the World of Music." A resident of New Jersey, Mr. Tesar is the owner of Studio X Recording Studio. A multi-talented keyboardist whose career has spanned many years and styles of music, Rave is currently focusing on the jazz funk/fusion trio, Berkana.
RAY LeVIER In addition to being a member of Berkana, Ray LeVier is the featured drummer of the KJ Denhert Band, a NYC based urban folk/jazz group that has been a staple of NYC's 55 Bar's performance roster. Mr. LeVier has performed with jazz guitarists Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Alex Skolnick and fusion violinist Joe Deninzon. Residing in Nyack, NY, Ray teaches private lessons when he's not performing.
NAT JANOFF In addition to his recording with Berkana, jazz/fusion guitarist Nat Janoff has released two other CD's with other groups. The first was a trio album entitled, "Looking Through" and featured Matt Garrison on bass and Gene Lake on drums. The second CD took Nat in a completely different direction - he got together with fellow guitarist, Jake Schwartz (of NYC's band Van Davis) and unplugged recording "Nat Janoff & Jake Schwartz-Live." Mr. Janoff also can be heard on pop star Debela Morgan's album, "Dance With Me." When not performing, Nat Janoff teaches private lessons and is currently writing a guitar method book.
Exclusive bonus track edition of new digital single The Hook (feat. Spleen & Celena Glenn), with remixes by DJ Spinna and Stefan Rogall – mpathiq, available from August 12 on DancetracksDigital. com.
HEY RAVE & RAY!!! WELCOME ABOARD! I'll be going WEST and possibly coming EAST in June. Sure do hope to see you both here or there sometime soon! "ciao4now"
Ya know, you and your page are what MySpace is all about.
You ROCK!
"The Season" is nearly upon us. When you're in the mood to blast some techno Sugar Plum Fairy, or chill out to Arabian Dance, you know where to find it!
For all the kind love you have given us, it is time for us to give something back to you...our first little EP:
Lazlo--Live Mountain Sampler
9 loaded tracks of some live sweetness, polished and shiny.
Come on over to our space and download the entire album, including the artwork, FOR FREE.
This summer finally looks ripe for us to jump in our bus and play a few shows...if you have any venues you want us to check out, let us know and we'll look them up...otherwise, keep your ear to the ground for us!
Speaking of which, there's a smokin' new Progressive Classical track up on Mad Nutcracker titled "Wasp Flight" Currently #2 in Progressive Rock on SoundClick.
I've got a weekly gig happening with my band at a wonderful venue in Times Square. We'll be playing all original music. If you're in NYC on a Tuesday night looking for something to do, please check us out:
Also, (for NYC locals), I'm looking for some promoters. If you're interested in working for me p/t, please send me a message. It's easy work, you don't even need to leave your house if you don't want to!
