Michael Bellar and the As-Is Ensemble arrive at The Garage on Wednesday, October 10 with a performance at 8:30pm and a free general improvisation workshop at 4pm. This event is part of the 8th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.
An innovative chameleon on almost anything with keys, including acoustic and electric pianos, accordion and Hammond organ, Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble have been turning heads in venues around the country. The group, which calls its sound "ecstatic improvisational groove music,” is comprised of musicians who have played and/or recorded with artists such as Amos Lee, Bjork, Imogen Heap, Aretha Franklin, Art Garfunkel and Slavic Soul Party. One thing that can be promised is that no two AS-IS Ensemble shows will ever be the same.
The band consists of Michael Bellar who plays all acoustic and electromagnetic keyboards, accordion, hammond organ and percussion, Brad Wentworth on the drums and percussion, Rob Jost on acoustic and electronic basses and Brook Martinez on percussion. Their latest CD, Oh No Oh Wow, draws from over two hours of newly recorded music and includes both originals by Michael Bellar and completely re-worked covers from artists as varied as Fleet Foxes, Jimi Hendrix, Leonard Cohen and Bob Marley.
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