Michael Bellar

9 Horses: Strum

by Neil Duggan
June 26, 2024

There are no prizes for guessing that this album from 9 Horses is called Strum because every track features the sound of a strummed instrument. There are over 20 stringed instruments involved, with mandolins, violins, guitars, banjos, basses and pianos, in various combinations, forming the main components. They are strummed, plucked or otherwise coaxed into life by a core trio of mandolinist Joe Brent, violinist Sara Caswell and bassist Andrew Ryan. Although there are many stringed instruments, that does nothing ...

Michael Bellar As-Is Ensemble: Turned On Turned Up

by Glenn Astarita
November 28, 2009

Fans of Medeski, Martin & Wood and the generally hip might dig the upbeat and refreshing sounds of keyboardist Michael Bellar's As-Is Ensemble. Its band members perform with notable artists when not on tour, amid previous duties as the house band for New York City's famed Blue Note club. And while the trio abides by a manifesto balanced with aggression, chops and clever song-forms, it manages to carve out an attention-grabbing and distinct music persona throughout.

The trio ...

Oliver Wood and Michael Bellar/as-is Ensemble: January Dates

Source: JamBase
January 4, 2011

TOUR STARTS JANUARY 13 IN ATHENS, GA Singer, songwriter and guitarist Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers will join forces with Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble in a collaboration that promises a night of great songs, grooves, and soul. The three night run starts at The Melting Point in Athens, GA. From there, they'll head over to Asheville NC for a night at Mo Daddy's before ending at The Five Spot in Atlanta, GA. The AS-IS Ensemble will open ...
read more

Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble Release "Turned On Turned Up"

Source: Powderfinger Promotions
August 17, 2009

Touted “Generation Next” by Billboard Magazine during their first ever New York City performance, Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble seem to defy description as they take the stage. This ber-hip electro-acoustic group blends sounds from jazz, rock and world percussion into their own unique form of alt-jazz. As the former house band for the legendary BLUE NOTE club, the band has spent years refining their chops to a level near perfection and has shared the stage with artists like ...
read more