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Pat Daugherty,
the band’s pianist and composer, has felt an
allegiance to the Fender Rhodes ever since he took
one out on tour with Gil Scott-Heron in 1984. He
feels the Rhodes is a unique instrument that’s still
reaching its potential. A songwriter as well as a
player, his first NY band featured Kurt Rosenwinkel
on bass. Pat’s day gig isn’t bad either; as touring
pianist with the Martha Graham Dance Company he
serves up avant-garde classics and Scott Joplin
rags, prompting Dance Insider.com to say, “
Daugherty seduces the music out of the piano.” This
April he led the Company through their 80th
Anniversary concert. He recently scored and played
on a post- modern tango for the Blue Man
Group, which is now featured in all of their shows
around the world. Pat produced Deanna's
Beautway CD with Aaron and co-produced the
Whatsa: Magica CD with Todd Horton and Hans Tueber,
the horn section from Ani Difranco's touring band. Pat’s songs have been recorded by Sasha Lazard, Deanna Kirk, and Princess Superstar,
and have appeared in both film and television. He
especially likes designing the band’s artwork: his
paintings have been shown at NYC’s Lincoln Center.
To view Pat's paintings click on the Images tab.
Drummer Aaron Comess’ grooves send the band
in to orbit. Comess is an original member of the
Spin Doctors and is considered a monstrous figure on
the jam band scene. Last year the Doctors released
Nice Talking To Me after a long hiatus.
Aaron just wrote and recorded a trio
album with Bill Dillon on guitar and Tony Levin on
bass, due out in Sept of 2006, a beautiful work that
showcases Aaron's compositions and playing. Check
his website for details. Comess, a drummer that learned to groove from none
other than Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, has performed
and recorded with Mike Stern, Roy Hargrove, Aaron
Neville, Vernon Reid, and Blues Traveler among many
others. He recently played on RCA artist Rachel
Yamagata’s debut release and tour. Aaron is an in demand
session player on the NY recording scene. Aaron
recorded the new NYEP CD in his upstate studio. He
wanted to capture the essence of the band’s live
sound without sacrificing any of its expressiveness.
Early listenings of the new material seems to
confirm that he got his wish.
Tim Givens,
the upright bassist who gives New York Electric
Piano its gravitational pull, grew up working in his
dad’s California music store. Tim’s stellar resume
include performing and recording with the likes of
Lou Donaldson, Ray Bryant, The Village Vanguard
Orchestra, Curtis Fuller, Deanna Kirk, Steve Smitty,
and Herman Foster. He recently chaired the bass spot
for the Jazz Standard’s weeklong Hank Mobley
tribute. Tim played cello and bass on the post-
modern tango that Pat scored for the Blue Man Group.
He has been touring with Chris Barron, the singer
from the Spin Doctors, opening for the Bacon
Brothers. Tim’s ability to maintenance the classic
Fender Rhodes Electric Piano makes him far and away
the most valuable member
of the trio. Tim loves it when Pat breaks a key and
he has to jump in and save the day. Tim also breaks
out the electric bass when the band needs a heavier
sound. Tim is also a composer and has
been performing his own work with a group that
features his cello playing. |
