The Band
Bass and Vocals - Eileen Bristol serves as bandleader, plays electric bass, sings and composes some of First Flight’s original material. She began performing in 2004. She is also a practicing massage therapist and owns RelaxStation Massage Therapy in Ann Arbor.
Alto Sax – Zack Wisti Alto Saxophone - is a senior at the University of Michigan, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Japanese Language and Culture. He has played the saxophone for over 10 years and enjoys playing a variety of styles, including jazz, latin, ska, funk, and afrobeat.
Guitar - Ed Green has played the guitar for over 10 years at clubs in Austin, Denver, and Southeast Michigan. He specializes in an old school sound with some modern ideas. Influences include: The Meters, Grant Green, Greyboy Allstars, Hendrix, Santana, Charlie Hunter, Allman Brothers and Buddy Guy. Ed recently graduated from UM-Public Health and works in A2 as an ANALyst.
Percussion, Vocals and Guitar - Ibrahim Aminou - Ibrahim, a composer and performer orginally from Niger, contributes an underlying layer of excitement to First Flight. In addition to playing congas, talking drum and other percussion instruments, Ibrahim also sings and plays guitar. (And gets the audience dancing!)
Drums – Chad Ryan Sturdivant has been playing the drums for 11 years. Growing up in Macomb County MI, he played with many different performing groups. In addition to playing with First Flight, he is also currently playing with the powerful rock trio Royale, based out of Ypsilanti MI. His influences include Billy Martin, Bill Stewart, John Bohnam, Danny Carey, Omar Hakim, Matt Chamberlain, Thomas Pridgen, and Terry Bozzio.
Keyboards (Fender Rhodes Piano and Nord) and Percussion - Levi Taylor teaches piano full time and is also a composer. His solid rhythmic grooves and innovative solos fill out the First Flight sound.
Influences
Les McCann, The Meters, Herbie Hancock, Fela Kuti, Greyboy Allstars, Randy Watson, 60-70's funk, soul, blues and jazz.
First Flight’s sound is rich in musical texture and rhythmic groove.
Founded by bass player Eileen Bristol, this dynamic 7 piece ensemble energizes their audience with infectious original works as well as jazz funk standards. Covers include songs by Les McCann, Greyboy Allstars, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Idris Muhammad, and Fela Kuti.
First Flight’s musicianship and performance energy are rapidly earning them a reputation as one of the most promising groups to recently emerge in Southeast Michigan.
Shama lama ding dong boop boop P doop and a cha cha cha just for you, in a gift box, with a red bow and when you open it, all your wishes come true...thats what i send to you!
Hey First Flight, we need your help with the “89X Im with the band” contest. Come out to the show @ TNT’S July 23rd and cast your vote for Core Effect at the door, If you can’t make it to the show then be sure to visit www.myspace.com/89ximwiththeband where you can vote once every 24 hours starting July 17th.
We would love to see you over here in the Baltic and Scandinavian region. Bring over some of that Michigan vibration. I haven't been home (Detroit) in over 6 years now.
How did you happen upon my music sweet cakes? Thank you for requesting to be my friend!! I wish for you, your passion in life, the thing that makes your toes twinkle and makes your booty shake. At the end of your road, may you look back at your life and know that you did everything you wanted to do despite all your fears, you forged ahead to the dance floor of life and did the Salsa!
THANK YOU!!! On the front lines of the Good Time Revolution and lovin' every minute of it!!
Hey First Flight!!! Love what you are doing. Good luck to you!!! Look me up if your drummer ever moves on to a different project(I hope he doesn't, he's a great drummer and well suited to your music!!!). Steve
