circulating members-
Drums- stanton moore, doug garrison, kevin o'day, mark diflorio, david sobel, dave capello
Bass- james singleton, nobu ozaki, peter harris, jesse boyd, joe cabral, Jimbo Walsh
Saxophones- Tim Green, Skerik, Rob Wagner, Martin Krusche, Ray Moore, Brent Rose, Doug Miller, Snakebite, Joe Cabral
Trombone- Rick Trolsen, Jeff Albert
Trumpet- Michael Ray, Mike Fulton, Antonio Gambrel, Eric Lucero, Omar
Flute- Hart McNee, Janna Saslaw
Clarinet- Chris Kohl, Robert Wagner
Bassoon- Steve Bertram
Percussion- Anthony Cuccia
Keyboard- Brian Coogan
Vibes- Mike Dillon
Violin- Dave Rebeck
Conducting- James P. Walsh
Influences
Any sound that has vibrated through my body and probably the early sounds of my parents voices. All the organized sound forms in recording and the striking sightings of musicians getting together to make live performances. The direct vocal and instrumental sounds of many teachers. From the other senses come other time patterns and ideas of space so the painters, poets, sculptors, gustatory specialists, parfumers etc. are also big influences. Then there are the mind expanding ideas that come from checking into science and technology and the wonder of how our intelligence bubbles out in those directions. Women are a big force and also the drive to overcome the fear of death. Acquaintance with yoga and travels in india as well as other places in the world have also had a big impact.
Sounds Like
Two distant stars attempting to make love with destructionless poetic yearning
Jonathan Freilich has been a composer/ guitarist, band leader or co-bandleader for many quite well known New Orleans groups for the last 18 years. These include The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, Naked On The Floor, 007, The Naked Orchestra, and Klezmurder. As a sideman he was the original sounding guitarist in Michael Ray and the Kosmik Krewe, The Kermit Ruffins Jam Session, Mas Mamones, Los Vecinos, Mike Ward and The Reward. He has backed up The Wild Magnolias, Robbie Robertson, Walter Payton, Sam Rivers, Bernie Worrell, Frederick Sheppard, and many other legendary New Orleans jazz and Rhythm and Blues players.
Recordings include-
5 New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars Albums (2 stretchy records, 2 Shanachie, 1 Gert Town)
Naked On The Floor(Valid Records)
007
The Royal Fingerbowl
Iris May Tango
Mark Bingham
Peter Stampfel
Galactic
Upcoming record releases will be another Naked Orchestra album and a new exciting recording of original compositions with Stanton Moore, Skerik, Todd Sickafoose, and Mike Dillon.
As well as delight and drive in improvisation, he continues to move forward in "avant-pop" and klezmer comosition styles as well as perpetual work in more free-style writing and guitar playing.
BRIAN BENDER & THE WORLD BEATNIKS - "Urban Jungle" Original Reggae, Funk, Afrobeat, Calypso, Samba, Second Line compositions.
With special guests: Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) Adam Deitch (John Scofield, Lettuce) Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) Jose Gonzalez (Bando Criollo)
BRIAN BENDER & LITTLE SHOP OF HORAS- "Eyn Velt" Original and traditional Jewish melodies blended with Latin, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern rhythms.
With special guests: Frank London (Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave) Alicia Svigals (Klezmatics, Mikveh) Stuart Brotman (Brave Old World) Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) Grant Smith (Klezmer Conservatory Band) Raquy Danziger (Raquy & The Cavemen) Backa Niang (Gokhi-Bi System)
