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Tzar consists of two of exceptional instrumentalists, drummer/bass pedalist Willie B, and organist Michael Stark, who have played together for 10 years now. They have been the preferred rhythm section for such artists as Johnny Dowd, Sally Timms, Jsan, and Hank Roberts. Now, in their own band, they have a chance to show off their song writing abilities as well. From Thelonious Monk to ZZ Top, their influences are vast and their sound individual.
Willie B has performed and recorded with many artists such as Warren Zanes (Del Fuegos), NYC punk legend Jayne County, Hellwood, and Neko Case. He has toured Europe and the U.S. extensively with Johnny Dowd, and surf rockers the Mofos. From punk to jazz to country, Willie's versatility is his strength. He is best known for incorporating organ bass pedals into his drum setup, allowing him to play bass and drums simultaneously. This original sound has become his signature.
Born in Queens, NY, Michael Stark was a student of the jazz legend, Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music. He moved to Ithaca, NY in Jan. 1995, and has since been writing for and performing with experimental trio WINGNUT, the duo TZAR, the Michael Stark Trio (acoustic piano trio), aswell as some solo piano concerts.
Stark currently tours in Europe and throughout the U.S. with rock legend Johnny Dowd and can be seen holding down left-hand organ bass in the dub-rock outfit, J-San & the Analogue Sons. He also performs with & has recorded with many great artists/bands...Hellwood, Jennie Stearns, Mary Lorson & Saint Low, Hank Roberts, Sally Timms of the Mekons, Hi Girls , Eric Athey, Crow Greenspun, and Orbiting Art Ensemble.
PRESS...
"Combining Hammond B3-feuled Jazz Funk with groovy Rock rhythms and
snyths that add an element of '70s Prog, New Wave, G-Funk and modern
experimentalism, New York-based two-piece Tzar (not to be confused with L.A.
Rock band Tsar) consists of two musicians who have played together for
over 10 years. Keysman Michael Stark handles the B3 and synth décor.
The Queens native has studied Jazz and spends much time with his trio,
Wingnut, which has toured extensively in Europe and the U.S. Willie B
handles the percussion and operates the bass (via pedals) for Tzar. Mr. B
has worked with Neko Case, Warren Zanes and Punk cult hero Jayne
County.
Stark and B have played together as the rhythm section for artists like
Sally Timms and Johnny Dowd and their long-running musical relationship
is evident on Tzar's self-titled, self-released six-song EP (available
at tzarmusic.com). Besides the fact that it sounds like there has to be
many more players on the recordings than just Stark and B, the most
grabbing element of the all-instrumental disc is hearing the telepathic
interlock apparent between the two players. You get a sense of
spontaneity, as if these expressive compositions were cemented in rehearsal
sessions by mere knowing glances.
"Don't Drink the Water" bobs on a Dance-club ready Funk grind, as Stark
drops in B3 twinkles to give the track a future-meets-past vibe. "Dub
Dirg" is perfectly titled as it meshes dubby rhythms into an expansive
dirge, highlighted by Stark's atmospheric wash and B's bass work (I have
to imagine playing Reggae drums and bass at the same time with your
feet, no less -- is about as easy as juggling a family of highly
irritable squirrels). Falling closest to "Jazz" on the CD is "When We Met," a
slow-burn torch song that creeps and crawls atop a haunting melodic
theme (this is one of the songs that seems suited for a vocalist).
Besides offering some solid music (and being on a very cool, eclectic
bill), Tzar's local stop is worth checking out just to see how they pull
off all of this glorious noise live."
Mike Breen - Citybeat
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