Evil Giraffes on Mars

Simply put, Evil Giraffes on Mars are the best (or worst) band that you (or someone else) have ever heard (or not heard). But we are a band nonetheless, and one guy did say we were "awesome" once. Let it be known, now and forever, that his comment was completely unprovoked! We can't even imagine what he would have said had we been fishing for compliments... Regardless, we are known in small circles for our genre bending sensibilities, fueled by a deep respect for all things musical. Combining elements of jazz, rock, funk, punk, hip hop, classical, world beat, and a love of tasty sandwiches, we have created a new beast! An Evil Giraffe!! Lock your doors, hide your daughters and finish your cold cuts!

The band:

Jamaal Sawyer-Dymski (tenor saxophone), 26, plays with a recognized maturity that belies his age. A veteran of the New York jazz scene, Jamaal has performed with recognized heavyweights Bobby Watson and Barry Harris as well as unsung giants David Schnitter, Bill Saxton, and Valery Ponomarev. Jamaal can be seen and heard regularly in a variety of locales around NYC including Sweet Rhythm, Crash Mansion, the Knitting Factory, the Garage, S.O.B.s and the Blue Note. Jamaal joined Evil Giraffes on Mars in 2007, coincidentally, and suspiciously, the same day that Matt La Von set fire to his tenor saxophone.

Doron Lev (Drums), 32, originally from Miami, now lives in Brooklyn. Currently touring with the off Broadway production, Anunnaki, he has been making waves internationally with his unique rhythmic proclivities and bombastic approach to his instrument. He is also an accomplished illustrator, painter, and MC, truly embodying the life of a starving artist. This and his love for biscuits and gravy make him the giraffe you don't want your daughter dating.

John Cave (guitar), 28, originally from North Carolina. Currently based in Brooklyn since 2005, has played venues throughout the metropolitan area. Recent gigs include an off-Broadway production called The Family Fiorelli, an appearance on The Lisa Durden Show, and performances at the Knitting Factory, St. Nick's Pub, and the Warped Tour. In 2004, John wrote an arrangement of one of Dewey Redman's tunes and performed it with the legendary saxophonist for what was to become a live CD: UNCG Jazz Ensemble, Live with Dewey Redman. John and fellow students were the first to orchestrate Redman's music for large ensemble. Aside from his fascination with jazz, he is greatly inspired by African music traditions and plays African styles with bands such as Manze Dayila and Tchaka. In 2008 he released Spectrophilia with the Volunteers, lauded as High Times Band of the Month. In 2005, John, Slotnick and Lev formed Evil Giraffes on Mars, much to the dismay of jazz purists. I mean “purist.” And by “purist” I mean this one guy Roger who works at the White Castle on Metropolitan ave. Roger hates the band. I like White Castle.

Thierno Camara (bass), 41, was born in Senegal. As a child he studied classical piano and flute. At the age of fourteen he started to play bass in the rock group, Laser. They played a repertoire of Rock cover songs and they performed in high schools. At the age of sixteen he joined Copa's (saxophonist of the Golden Baobab) group and he learned jazz along side this great musician. His first foray into African music came with his participation in the group Sora, which included many griots, traditional musicians, such as Fanta Sissoko, Toumani Kouyate, Dibi Sissoko, etc... Thierno was getting noticed, he became acompanist to some of Senegal's greatest stars: Thione Seck, Cheick Lô, and Kine Lam among others. In 1998 he came to the United States and has since accompanied such great artists as Ornette Coleman, Black Mouth Sound, Greg Osby, Memphis Blake and Cornelius Kreush. In the summer of 2009, causing an ever growing wave of distress amongst friends and loved-ones across the globe, Thierno was abducted by Evil Giraffes on Mars. If you’ve seen Thierno, please notify your local Amber Alert.

Matt La Von (soprano and alto saxophones), 33, has led a largely nomadic existence. The son a US Marine, he lived in various towns across the US, moving every 3 or 4 years. After settling in the Philadelphia/Northern Delaware area, his life took an absurd twist when he decided to be a jazz musician. After studying music at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he moved to Brooklyn in January, 2001, where he has continued to reside for the longest portion of his life. Musically, he continues his nomadic tendencies, working as a straight-ahead jazz musician, playing club dates, and composing electronic music and orchestral music for independent films. His compositions and work as an improviser in Evil Giraffes on Mars embodies this same meandering sensibility and a single composition or improvisation often incorporates an unbalanced blend of adjectives that include pretty, ugly, stupid, beautiful, random, majestic, introver