JASON LINDNER (keyboards) / PANAGIOTIS ANDREOU (bass & gypsy style vocals) / MARK GUILIANA (drums) / plus featured guest artist/friends BABA ISRAEL (original Bronx vegetarian beatboxing, poetry and rhymes) / AVISHAI COHEN (color-scaping, perfectly-placed trumpet phrases) / JEFF TAYLOR (vocals and human reality animation)
NOW VS NOW is Jason Lindner (keyboards), Mark Guiliana (drums) and Panagiotis Andreou (bass). Their style has been called electro-groove, prog-jazz, garage-jazz, world-jazz-funk-rock, and simply unclassifiable. "I'm not sure I want to describe the music as much as I want to invite people to listen to it... the tension and release of a cosmopolitan society where people of all shades live together: the sound of now.” – Joshua Jackson, WBGO / NPR. The group began performing as a quintet at the lesser known, eclectic and somewhat underground clubs of New York City - Zebulon, Rose, Nublu, Zinc Bar and Fat Cat - in 2007, then joined by Avishai Cohen (trumpet) and Baba Israel (beatbox, poetry and rhymes) - who both appear on the CD and in special live events, but otherwise the group remains a trio (they have also recently welcomed vocalist Jeff Taylor, saxophonist John Beaty, Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda and Macedonian clarinetist Ismail Luminovski, showing showing some serious musical flexibility). Jason Lindner explains, "To me, Now Vs Now is spontaneous musical combustion, being fully in the present moment, action, tension and release, thought-provocation, intense emotion, imagination and creativity. It is global, of the streets of New York - or any major city - but also aiming straight for outer-space, for the cosmos." Layla Macoran of Examiner.com wrote, "There are so many influences in each song that melt into one pot and make for a new recipe, possibly called hyperjazz, dragging the past kicking and screaming into the 21st century...As individual performers, their list of credits could fill a volume of contemporary jazz and world music history. As a trio, Now Vs. Now seem to be ready to write a new chapter." Jason Lindner Gives You Now Vs Now, their debut album produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, Eric Elterman and Jason Lindner, and mixed by Bob Power (Tribe Called Quest, Erika Badu), is available for direct order NOW and ships FREE around the world from http://www.anzicstore.com/NowVsNow< and is also avail in stores, iTunes and online stores like Amazon.com.
The Story:
Now vs. Now is a mind-blowing experience for the eclectic music lovers of the world.
When keyboardist/composer Jason Lindner wanted to develop a project different from his acclaimed big band, he began searching for musicians who could deliver high intensity music with electrifying flavor.
Lindner heard about bassist Panagiotis Andreou through his reputation for outstanding skill in Cuban timba. Growing up playing Byzantine and Balkan Gypsy music in his native Greece, Andreou, also co-leader of New York Gypsy All-Stars, worked with Turkish pop star Husnu Senlendirici and the finest Cuban timba musicians in New York City.
Andreou is charismatic, and his rhythmic abilities and modal type of playing while singing made a huge impression.
Lindner’s concept of a musical project had the right bass player, but now needed a drummer that could filter the information and ideas coming from Lindner and Andreou, and direct it into a focused sound.
Mark Guiliana is known for his sophisticated sensibility and take-no-prisoners approach to finding the perfect beat. The New Jersey native gained a fine reputation for his unique and un-compromised approach to playing the drums without fear of pushing the groove beyond its basic limits. That strength has enriched the work of his acclaimed group Heernt and bassist Avishai Cohen. Lindner felt Guiliana and Andreou would work well together.
The band began playing in underground venues such as Zebulon, Nublu, Zinc Bar and Fat Cat, gaining a following while building up their repertoire. Audiences frequently commented that the music had something for everyone. One follower called it ‘garage jazz’…. a mixture of the electronic, the acoustic, Andreou’s gypsy-esque vocals, improvisation, hard grooves and intricate rhythms for the mind and body, heady melodicism …. a global approach to electric jazz. The instrumentation is very powerful, but beautifully blended into a kaleidoscope of sound and rhythm. Now vs. Now creates a good balance- three parts that complement each other, with a certain edge emerging from the diverse backgrounds. They share one common bond: being in the moment, captivating the audience, playing with intense unity, withholding nothing when on stage. Lindner’s Zen-like leadership style allows musicians to feel free; confident each contribution is supported and encouraged. Each member strives to nurture the other.
When the time came to finally record, no one knew how to approach such a project. Longtime fan and collaborator Me’shell Ndegeocello offered to produce, much to the band’s delight. She was very familiar with Lindner’s musical approach and passion, which fueled her desire to bring the best out the band. Her prowess in the studio allowed the musicians to realize their goal of incorporating the energy and chemistry of playing live with the fun and science of studio creativity. Jason Lindner Gives You Now vs. Now (Anzic Records), released October 20th, 2009, is the result of this collaboration that far exceeded anyone’s expectations. Mixed by legendary master Bob Power, the album possesses the rawness and sophistication so prevalent in his work with A Tribe Called Quest, Ndegeocello, and Erika Badu. Guiliana joked that after Power’s magic, his drums would never sound that good again.
The band looks forward to developing an extensive body of work to share with the world, humbly solidifying their place in modern music history.
jealousy: if only i knew hitting the keys... that's pretty much how it would sound like. gratitude: someone DOES hit those keys the way i would if i could. :-) and you guys bring back memories
So, when are you guys coming to Bulgaria? I understand that our famous shopska salad and rakia are available in NYC, but, they certainly taste better in Sofia!
