Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Joanna Massey (The Boston Globe)
"Jesse Ciarmataro writes dreamy roots music that rivals that of British star David Gray."
- The Boston Globe
Scotty B with some kind words...........
2/8/07 Further From Zen - Fish Hill Tavern, Beverly Ok, so it was my first time at the 'Tav' and as I walked through the door to the right where the band was and I can see now why bands might or might not want to play there. The bar is split into 2 parts, so if your not into the music as much, you can hide on the other side. Me, well I was right at the front. Further From Zen consists of Ben Zecker (keyboard extraordinaire for Boston Horns and Headshaft), Dennis Monagle (Percussion/beatbox guru for Groove Therapy and Resonance fame) and Jesse Ciarmataro (Multi-talented vocalist/guitar/bass/keys with Christine Baze/Resonance/Polyquin fame) - So put all these elements together and you get a hybrid of mellow crooning vocals, tight and crunchy drum rhythms with Hancock-esque synthesizer pads and modern sub-bass lines. These guys can play, not only that they can jam - at one point of the night Jesse takes over bass, lays down a line and loops it!!! The jams then starts, Monagles rippin up a beatbox vocal groove, Zecker has two keylines going on, one form his mini Korg, that sounds like a filtered out horn, while he's progressing with the other hand on the Nord like Lonnie Liston Smith. This is not the Resonance nor is it Groove Therapy or The Boston Horns - This is Further From Zen, and I welcome their free form jam spirit. Between the 3 of them they could easily come up with simple jazz/pop songs for the girlie's, but no they went the other way and created a great live act that incorporates modern electronic improvisation techniques that's just bursting full of creativity and I welcome it to the North Shore and their new home at The Fish Hill Tavern! Scott D Buchanan Radio Scotvoid
- RadioScotvoid Blog
Discography
We are currently in the pre-production stages of a studio recording, however, we have created a handful of high-quality live recordings which we sell successfully at our live shows.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Born as a project between singer/songwriter Jesse Ciarmataro(Polyquin; The Resonance), Key-wizard extrordinaire Ben Zecker(Headshaft; Boston Horns), and drummer Dennis Babin(Polyquin;Boston Horns; and many others) - Further From Zen was a concept as much as a band. Tragically, Dennis Babin passed from this earth before his time, and the band (and world) had lost a well-loved , super-talented soul. ............................................................ Another drummer/vocalist had already been thrown in to the "Zen" mix at this point . Dennis Monagle(The Resonance;Groove Therapy; Brother Chameleon) began to take the part of the band's beatkeeper. With only a few rehearsals, and relying only on combined knowledge of structure, Jesse's original material was put to the test. Regular gigs began to take the form of "rehearsals" , giving the trio a deep sense of inprovosation, revolving around Jazz, funk, soul, and R&B. The fact that Zecker was manning the bass with his left hand on a synthesizer also gave the band's sound an electronic tinge that allowed for even more sound-scaping. After some time , and gathering a decent sized fan base, the players became busy with other projects and bands , and Jesse and Dennis M. continued as the core of FFZ , often performing as a duo. Jesse had been working hard at mastering the keys, after becoming an already-established guitarist and incredibly soulful singer, and succeeded in becoming the melodic core of the band . With Jesse creating bass lines now with a Mini Korg synth, along with a loop station, he is able to create several layers of sound while Dennis keeps the rythyms kickin' . The sound now is often embellished with the help of various players , including Sax - man Henley Douglas Jr., Singer/songwriter Christine Baze, Lyle Brewer on elecric guitar, percussionist Yahuba Garcia, and percussionist Matt "Pie" Beaulieu. Keep your eyes and ears open for the ever-evolving sounds of Further From Zen!! They'll be sure to keep you on your toes. 8-23-07
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