Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble
"Generation Next" BILLBOARD
They have performed at such venues as
JVC, JAC, Bell Atlantic and NYC Winter Jazz Festivals,
SXSW 2010, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
the Blue Note in New York City - as the house band, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center
The group has opened for
John Scofield, Oliver Wood (of the Wood Brothers), Medeski, Martin & Wood,
Grant Green Jr, Tea Leaf Green, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Michael has toured and/or recorded with
Amos Lee, Art Garfunkel, Howie Day,...
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Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble
"Generation Next" BILLBOARD
They have performed at such venues as
JVC, JAC, Bell Atlantic and NYC Winter Jazz Festivals,
SXSW 2010, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
the Blue Note in New York City - as the house band, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center
The group has opened for
John Scofield, Oliver Wood (of the Wood Brothers), Medeski, Martin & Wood,
Grant Green Jr, Tea Leaf Green, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
Michael has toured and/or recorded with
Amos Lee, Art Garfunkel, Howie Day,
Jay Clifford, Wheatus, Teddy Geiger,
and Italian pop star Giorgia
Michael’s national TV appearances include
Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America
PRESS QUOTES
MICHAEL BELLAR/THE AS-IS ENSEMBLE
“GENERATION NEXT....Close your eyes, and you can (almost) imagine them playing an outdoor festival for tie-dye kids one day and a New York jazz club the next.”
Billboard Magazine
“And now for something completely different. A deeply funky new album...."
The Charleston City Paper
"This renegade trio led by keyboardist and sonic explorer Michael Bellar blends pop, rock, funk, jazz and world music elements into a provocative brew on this spirited alt-jazz outing. Fans of Medeski Martin & Wood and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey will dig this."
Jazz Times
Holy sh_t! This is amazing!
WIDR (Kalamazoo, MI)
The AS-IS Ensemble has been turning heads and blowing minds across the country.
Vermont 7 Days
"Keyboardist Michael Bellar gives the piano a voice all its own...."
Flagpole Magazine
"funky and upbeat..." "explores a jazz/rock space reminiscent of Marco Benevento..."
Relix
“Their swing is pop savvy, their mainstream is avant flecked, and their whimsy has an earnest base.” “It takes chutzpah - this electrocoustic quintet has as much ambition as it does chops.”
The Village Voice
“Spontaneity, spirit and surprise” - “bewitching and often exotic”
Winston-Salem Journal
.....the generally hip might dig the upbeat and refreshing sounds of keyboardist Michael Bellar's AS-IS Ensemble. 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. Hence, the title Turned On Turned Up....It's a no-holds barred fest......
All About Jazz
"Michael Bellar and the AS-IS Ensemble have perfected it's own brand of jazz..."
Charleston Post and Courier - Editor's Pick
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