Artist’s Bio

In New York City, Bruschini is well known for his versatility and has performed in many of the city’s popular clubs and performance spaces including The Knitting Factory, Visiones, Condon’s, S.O.B.’s, The 55 Bar, CBGB’s and other venues such as The Great Hall at Cooper Union, The Kitchen and the Guggenheim Museum.

Bruschini’s appeal is due, in part, to his long tenure with Cecil Taylor, and with many of Mr. Taylor’s various touring ensembles. Bruschini was featured on the Japanese TV broadcast of “Live at the Knitting Factory” with Cecil Taylor’s group, RADA. Bruschini has also performed, recorded and/or toured with Craig Harris, Dave Douglas, Mose Allison, Denis Charles, Carlos Ward, Charles Persip, Makanda Ken McIntyre, Akira Tana, Butch Morris, Sonny Simmons, Myra Melford, Cyro Baptista, David S. Ware, Dave Kikoski, Wilber Morris, Dennis Irwin, Warren Smith, Jon King, Antoine Roney, Jeff Williams, Guillerme Franco and Gerry Brown.

With the agility to move freely through diverse musical idioms, Bruschini has performed in the U.S. and abroad as both a sideman and a leader. He has been featured at major venues in Europe including the Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria, the Stadtgarten in Cologne, the Vilhsofen Festival near Munich and the Joan Miro Art Festival in Palma de Mallorca. John also performed throughout Guatemala on a tour sponsored by the American Embassy and the Instituto Guatemalteco Americano.

John’s other credits include performing with the Dennis Mitcheltree Tentet on the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, sponsored by the New York Council for the Arts Foundation. He also performed with Wilber Morris at the Kraine Gallery, with Paul Aston Group at Roulette and with his own trio at the Katonah Museum of Art--all events funded by Meet the Composer.

For the Spoleto Arts Festival, John recorded a dance piece for Blondell Cummings, music composed by Butch Morris. Other work with composer Butch Morris includes live performances of original music for two New York plays--“Modet”, written by Alan Graubard and performed at Aaron Davis Hall, and “My Darling Gremlin,” written by playwright Gregory Tate, performed at The Kitchen.

Band Bios

CD - As You Were

Robert Aries

Robert has lived in the New York City area most of his life and is a freelance pianist and synthesist. He toured and recorded with artists such as guitarist John Scofield, the "world jazz" groups Special EFX and Elements, r&b band Change, saxophonist Bill Evans, Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias, and singers Liza Minelli, Melba Moore and Freddie Jackson. Robert also produced a song for Jackson's multi-platinum debut record. He produced and co-wrote several songs on saxophonist Donald Harrison's CTI release "Power of Cool," and played and composed for saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus's (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Boz Scags) recent release, "Known Fact" on Palmetto records.

Jeff Hirshfield

A New York native, Jeff Hirshfield has worked with numerous jazz giants as well as with many musicians on the cutting edge. He has appeared on over 125 recordings. His many credits include Dr. John, Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin, John Zorn, Eliane Elias, Randy Brecker, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Fred Hersch, Mose Allison, Bennie Wallace, John Abercrombie, Jim Hall, Paul Bley, Bob Brookmeyer, Marc Copland and many others. He also continues to maintain a busy schedule touring and recording with many other artists as well as conducting clinics and workshops around the world.

Jim Nolet

Jim Nolet is a recording artist, performer and educator known internationally as a composer and improviser in the jazz idiom. His early classical training extended from the Juilliard School to Cornish Institute of the Arts where he studied privately with master bassist Gary Peacock. Nolet's jazz identity took shape in the workshops, studios and clubs of Manhattan, where his work in mainstream, bop and Latin music developed a jazz foundation that is both solid and diverse. Nolet has performed and presented his works at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in Prague, and Club Bird in Japan. He has also performed, recorded and toured throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Latin America and Canada; with such jazz notables as Tim Hagans, David Murray, John Purcell, Hilton Ruiz, John Hicks, Joanne Brackeen, Hamiet Bluiett, Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, and others.

Kip Reed

Bassist Kip Reed has toured extensively with several bands, most notably Tania Maria and Liquid Hips. His love of Brazilian and world-beat music combined with his background in rock, funk and jazz make him one of the most in-demand bass players in New York. Performance highlights include Tania Maria, Liquid Hips, Joe Lovano, Mulgrew Miller, Leni Andrade, the Gil Evans Orchestra, Paolo Jobin, Donna Summer, James Moody, Kenny Werner and Hank Crawford.