Ensembles and projects

Groups I perform with regularly or run myself:

Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica (third-stream exotica quartet and Esquivel big band)

"…incredible arrangements, musicianship and artistic direction…I’m sure the only thing better than hearing the record would be seeing this group live." - Frank Alkyer

This is my baby ;-) The Orchestrotica is two groups: my original, third-stream exotica quartet I lead on vibraphone and percussion and the world's only 22-piece big band to perform the lost space-age pop music of Juan Garcia Esquivel (which I have rescued via transcriptions of his original recordings). Visit orchestrotica.com/ to check out these two groups. A series of albums under a collection entitled "Exotica for Modern Living," were released in November 2010 and May 2011 and more will follow. THe big band roster fluctuates but the quartet is usually Geni Skendo (bass flute, flute), Jason Davis (bass), and Noriko Terada (percussion).

Music director, vibes, percussion, piano since 2006.

CORDIS (modern chamber music)

Richard Grimes is artistic director of the group CORDIS, which he leads on cimbalom. This quartet is rounded out with percussion, cello, and piano - the latter of which is my role in the group. The percussion-oriented writing is inspired by composers like Philip Glass and has a rock/pop edge as well. In addition to acoustic chamber concerts, the group also has an "electric" show complete with lasers! Rounding out the quartet are Jeremy Harman (cello) and Andy Beall (percussion). The group will tour extensively in late 2011 and early 2012.

Member since Summer, 2011

Klezwoods (Klezmer/balkan music)

Joe Kessler's amazing group of musicians performs classic klezmer from around eastern Europe and the middle east. Typically, I play doumbek, riq, and tappan when performing with this ensemble. The typical lineup is Joe Kessler (violin), Michael McLaughlin (accordion), Tev Stevig (guitar), Jim Gray (tuba), Dan Linden (trombone), Alex Spiegelman (alto sax), Becky Wexler (clarinet), Grant Smith (drums), Sam Dechenne (tpt), and Greg Loughman (bass).

Member since 2010

La Tuza: Mexican Roots Music

In November 2007, I joined a group called Son del Otro Lado (now La Tuza), a group playing the indigenous Mexican styles of music called son jarocho, son calentano, and son huasteco. I sing and play pandero, tamborita (not sure on what yet!), and cajon in this trio group which features David Wax on guitar/huapanguera/jarana, and Paddy League on violin who both sing as well.

Original member since Nov. 2007.

David Wax Museum (Mexo-americana)

My peer in La Tuza, David Wax, runs this great Americana group which utilizes Mexican rhythms and guitars underneath English vocals. As they put it, "The David Wax Museum infuses Mexican son into its literary, countrified folk rock" and they are "...the much buzzed-about Boston band..." according to NPR. I occasionally perform with David when he wants percussion enhancement behind the group which often works as a duo or trio. Typically, my setup is similar to La Tuza: cajon, lap-style frame drums, and pandeiro. I recorded on their 2011 release, Everything is Saved.

Sideman since 2009.

Aljashu (Sephardic music from Spain sung in Ladino)

Along with my regular collaborator Tev Stevig, I play percussion in the ensemble Aljashu, led by soprano Julia Madeson. This jewish music has soaked up influences from Spain, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans and is rarely heard or played today. Julia is one of a few people trying keep this Sephardic music alive and sings in Ladino, a language very close to Spanish.

Joined in Fall, 2009.

KAFANA

A new Balkan-inspired band that plays original jazz, folk, and crossover music. Members include Joe Kessler (Klezwoods), Tev Stevig, Alec Spiegelman (Miss Tess, Cuddle Magic), Kendall Eddy (NEWPOLI), and others. Our first performance was opening for La Tuza in July of 2009. Stay tuned for more info and shows. Audio coming soon from a 2009 concert.

Original member since Spring, 2009.

Choros com Chocolate (Brazilian choro/chorinho music)

In 2009, I started a new group with a handful of great musicians interested in Brazilian choro music. Led by cellist Catherine Bent, we play Hermeto , Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, and others using flute (Jared Sims), 7 string guitar (Jason Davis), cello, and myself on percussion (primarily pandeiro but I also use cajon, frame drums, and marimbula). Audio coming soon.

Joined in Summer, 2009.

The Fa Diyez Ensemble

In the summer of 2009, Tev Stevig (regular partner in Balkan/mid-eastern music) invited me to learn Ottoman classical music from Turkey with him and Chris Veilleux on ney. I am playing bendir (frame drum) in this trio and studying usul on my own. Our first gig was in the Fall of 2009 in Westchester County, NY and we're hoping to have this group playing more frequently. The show was videotaped, stay tuned for clips.

Joined in Summer, 2009.

Dave Rasmussen Big Band

In the Summer of 2008, I subbed on drums for this big band which meets a few times a month to rehearse and play classic big band music. I am now playing vibraphone with the group regularly (and sometimes drums too!)

Original member since Summer, 2008.

Groove Honey is a modern, instrumental jazz band I lead, plays drums in, and arrange for. Focused on groove music, we perform a lot of brazilian, latin, and modern jazz charts often with a modern/lounge spin. For example, sometimes we will re-arrange jazz charts in a electronic/club-style while always using real players and instruments. This group performs inpublic on occasion and does a live of private function work.

Founded in 2007

Previous/Inactive groups

Gato Malo is Shaun Wolf Wortis’ (ex-Slide, Family Jewels, Leah Callahan, etc.) latest project. A ragbag of loose soul, New Orleans rhythm and blues, and hip-sway rock and roll; a large band with full horn section, vibes (that’s me!) and other surprises -- armed by a rotating cast of some of Boston’s best musicians. I rotate on drums, vibes, and organ. A record was started in October, 2007 (I will be on b3-hammond organ, percussion, vibes, and who knows what else!)

Original member since Jun. 2004

Newpoli (Italian folk music)

A Boston-based Italian folk group, as percussionist. Lots of cajon, frame drum, doumbek, riq, and atmosphere sounds.

Joined in January, 2009.

Orchestra of This

This is one of the most unique groups I have played in. We are best described as third-stream music - a blend of modern classical/chamber sounds with jazz and a touch of world rhythms. Matt (guitar) wrote the music and started this group and I perform on vibes sometimes (as a duo with Matt), and on multi-percussion in a larger ensemble setting (trio+). Matt moved out of the state in August of 2009.

Original member since December 2007.

Jan 2007-2009

WAITIKI was known as Exotic Tikitainment of Polynesia and Beyond. I played vibraphone, the primary melodic and harmonic instrument in this style of music. I also plaedy piano and marimba, and plenty of bird calls and sound effects. Finally, I also produce a subproject: transcribing the music of Juan Garcia Esquivel by ear off the records (this is now my own project known as Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica. We released two full length albums: Charred Mammal Flesh: Exotic Music for BBQ was released in Sept. 2005 and our second album, Rendezvous in Okonkuluku (RIO) was released in the summer of 2007 on CD and on vinyl.

Aug 2003 - Feb 2008

Mista Ruddy plays and sings “stories from a young man with an old soul.” A singer-songwriter with a percussion background out of Brooklyn, NY. Matt recently moved to Florida so we aren't playing too much anymore!

Sideman since Feb 2006

io4 is live, electronica/drum’n’bass/jazz...thing. This project is currently on hold given all the stuff going on with other groups these days.

Conceived in 2002

Steven and I played in a Flamenco duet a few times a year, sometimes with our dancer, Yvonne. Steven has been performing this style for several years.

Joined in Sep 2003

Fabrizi Kern Quintet

This is one of the first bands I did some session work with early on when I arrived in Boston. The track is Chank by John Scofield as recorded by this group which features Matt Steckler on saxophone. I am playing drums on this early demo recording we made around 2002 I think.

• Chank 8mb

Orchestras

I also play in the Boston area with several orchestras, and have performed in a few professional orchestras in Arizona. My resume higlights past events.

© 2012 Brian O'Neill
brian@crashandboom.com | Twitter: @orchestrotica
347.482.1775