Citigrass
New York City, New York, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"Highly recommended! Not only does Citigrass have a name that perfectly fits their style, they have the talent to back it up. Citigrass dubs its music "high-energy alternative bluegrass" and appeals as much to an audience of rock fans as bluegrass lovers and converts. The band also boasts great harmonies, precise but innovative instrumental work and an all-around good vibe. Citigrass has played residences at the Knitting Factory in New York City and Galapagos in Brooklyn." -----Relix Magazine "On the Verge" - Relix Magazine
With a sound that goes considerably beyond bluegrass, this quintet is turning plenty of heads. The "citi" in Citigrass refers to New York. I can't think of many bands that do bluegrass arrangements of "Viva Las Vegas," followed with an original Celtic reel like "Noah's Irish II" that keeps building steam along the rails. Knowing few boundaries, one's got to appreciate the eclectic nature of Citigrass' music. There's a little something for everybody here. These five guys have chosen the bluegrass genre as their current starting point for musical creativity. Citigrass has been receiving some good press in places like Relix, The Village Voice, N.Y. Press, and on-line at Jambands.com. With a heavy concentration on originality in their spirited and eclectic presentation, this band is sure to build a legion of fans, especially among the younger demographic, that likes to boogie to their alternative and urbanized groovegrass. - Bluegrass Now
Hell Yeah! to your latest release. It was pure listening pleasure to review this CD. Fantastic song-writing layered perfectly with astounding musical arrangements and the vocal harmonies soar! Thanks For The Treat! - Bill Wright, WUVT 90.7, Blacksburg, VA
This New York-based band is obviously in the bluegrass camp with a contemporary slant. Citigrass incorporates a host of influences in their music including jazz, Celtic, Klezmer and others. Most of the 13 selections are originals with interesting themes including “Serpent in the Grass,” “Crooked Beak Bird,” “The Ballad of Jeff Van Gundy,” and “The Grey Fox”. One moment they’re belting out straight bluegrass with Ola Belle Reed’s High on a Mountain and the next delving into Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas.” The music of Citigrass is filled with intensity bound up with a bit of naughtiness that will delight anyone who appreciates bluegrass with an attitude - Bluegrass Unlimited, Nov 2004
Highly Recommended!! Not only does the five-piece Citigrass have a name that perfectly fits their style, they have the talent to back it up. How many bands can comfortably nestle traditional bluegrass tunes like "New River Train" and "John Hardy" with contemporary originals and a cover of Madonna's "Live to Tell" and make it all work? The band also boasts great harmonies, precise but innovative instrumental work and an all-around good vibe. - Relix Magazine
Two young and serious improv-bluegrass combos team up for a promising evening of machine-gun picking, single-mike harmonizing, and bucolic vibes. Locals Citigrass are known for their association with Phish bassist Mike Gordon - Village Voice
Phish bassist Mike Gordon joined Citigrass Wednesday night at Galapagos in Brooklyn, NY. Gordon played acoustic guitar with the group for the entire show, which included standards such as "Man of Constant Sorrow," "Rocky Top" and "Old Home Place," as well as the Citigrass original "Ain’t Gonna Change." The setlist also featured bluegrass interpretations of "I Will Survive," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Wish You Were Here." Mike has also sat in on the previous two Fridays at the Knitting Factory in New York City.” - Jambands.com
They call the catchy stuff they do "Urban Bluegrass" which blends some jazz turns and knowing Big Apple lyric references with actual bluegrass chops. No joke, no-noodling from an eclectic bunch, who came to this band from Off-Broadway, Israel, Iowa and -- in the case of the fiddler -- the Flux Quartet. Williamsburg folks even put down their drinks for a minute to listen - Village Voice
Discography
Citigrass (Debut album)
Serpent in the Grass
One Hit Wonderin'
Photos
Bio
Who Says Grass Doesn't Grow in New York City?... CITIGRASS!
With 2 August performances at Gracie Mansion for Mayor Bloomberg's Emmy Party and his Senate reception, Citgrass is really hooked into the city beat.
Combining the fiery fingers and squeaky clean harmonies of a traditional bluegrass outfit with the spontaneous energy of a jam band and the heart and soul of classic rock, the unmistakable sound of CITIGRASS has forged a unique niche and fervent following since bursting forth onto the New York City club scene ten years ago. Like a fine blended whiskey, CITIGRASS goes down smooth, featuring subtle notes of Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, rock, funk, disco, and beyond, creating a rich, complex body of work that leaves audiences from Maine to Alabama screaming for more. As rendered by an all-star lineup of musical mavericks, there is simply no previous listening experience that can adequately prepare you for the intensity, irreverence, and full-on acoustic audio assault that is CITIGRASS.
Celebrating their 10th anniversary as one of New York’s top acoustic bands, CITIGRASS is also a true New York story. After years as an Advertising Executive in New York and Tokyo, founder Sandy Israel dropped out of the Advertising business to form the band in his 14th Street apartment with a plan to create a bluegrass act sophisticated and compelling enough even for New York city audiences. Sandy quickly roped in some other key “only in New York” talent including, symphony composer, Broadway violist, and Julliard teacher, Kenji Bunch, a veteran of many pop and classical recordings, and Noah Chase, lead singer, professional front man and instrumentalist since his childhood growing up in Tel Aviv Israel. Both of these seasoned pros were looking for a new musical challenge, a group that could really push their talents… and they found it with CITIGRASS. Over time the band has rounded out with talented jazz veterans Tim Kiah on Bass and James Kerr on Dobro finally reaching their current lineup with the addition of Leah Latella, whose powerful and sultry voice helps the band take flight at every show.
CITIGRASS played The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco in October and is well known favorite among bookers at popular venues in New York City. Citigrass has shared the stage with such acclaimed artists as Ricky Skaggs, Mike Gordon (Phish), and the Yonder Mountain String Band, and was the featured soloist with the Mobile Symphony Pops. CITIGRASS has performed at Gracie Mansion for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and has become a regular first call act for city-run events at parks and public spaces. The band's music was featured in the Billy-Bob Thornton movie, "Astronaut Farmer," and other short films. They are repeat performers on ABC TV's live New York Morning Show at Lincoln Center. The band continues to receive praise and critical acclaim in diverse publications such as The New York Times, Bluegrass Unlimited, Relix, The Village Voice, NY Press, and on Jambands.com.
For more info and booking, Contact
Sandy Israel
718-923-5657
citigrass@earthlink.net
Links
