MEBANE, NC -- Bay Area jazz-jam supergroup GARAJ MAHAL has become the sixth act signed to Harmonized Records, the offshoot label from LEEWAY'S HOME GROWN MUSIC NETWORK, in its first year of operation.
Called “one of the most talked about groups in jazz and jam today" by Mountain Express, GARAJ MAHAL unites one of jazz's most innovative performers, bassist Kai Eckhardt, with acclaimed classical/jazz guitarist Fareed Haque, drummer Alan Hertz and prodigious young keyboardist Eric Levy. Between them, the members of GARAJ MAHAL have accompanied the likes of Sting, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Steve Smith's Vital Information, Bela Fleck, Bill Evans, John McLaughlin Trio, Steve Kimock, KVHW, Edgar Meyer and dozens more.
The unparalleled pedigree of GARAJ MAHAL, combined with its buzz on the improv scene, makes the band a particularly exciting new member of the fast-blossoming Harmonized family. The label is so high on the band that it's planning to simultaneously release a series of live GARAJ MAHAL CDs in early 2003.
“Each member of this band is such an accomplished player," says Lee Crumpton, co-founder with Brian Asplin of Harmonized Records. “I consider these guys musicians' musicians who are capable of creating all sorts of opportunities for us -- and so, apparently, do more and more people out there on the scene."
The GARAJ MAHAL signing completes a year in which Harmonized Records saw a flurry of activity since launching as an offshoot of LEEWAY'S HOME GROWN MUSIC NETWORK in the spring of 2002. Harmonized was introduced as an alternative label design with two releases: Expression Sessions by Netwerk: Electric and Just Like the Old Country by Ten Ton Chicken. They were followed this fall with The Motet -- Live and the eponymous debut CD by The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton. Harmonized is also looking forward to a new release by Perpetual Groove in early 2003.
The goal of Harmonized Records is to help great independent artists create and release their music to the fans who seek it. Harmonized plans to continue its growth in 2003 while staying completely independent in its distribution through LEEWAY'S HOME GROWN MUSIC NETWORK. Harmonized is getting the music where it belongs, and where people want to find it.
www.harmonizedrecords.com
www.garajmahal.net
For more information contact All About Jazz.
