SANTA FE, New Mexico (Top 40 Charts/ Hani Naser Official Website) - The Hani Naser Band plays an "in the now" kind of music. These four musicians from different parts of the world mix their roots with contemporary rhythms and melodies. Masters of improvisation, their jams are full of folklore, and listeners are taken on a journey with their in the moment musical compositions. This is a genre transcending band, and these gifted and adventurous artists push each other past musical boundaries to a place that is rarely visited.
HANI NASER (Jordan): oud, percussion and vocals
As a child in the hills above Jordan, Hani remembers many mornings listening to his grandfather, the village poet recite poetry while grinding fresh roasted coffee with a stick in a gourd like pot. Accompanied by the rhythmic crunching of the beans, his stories and songs provided a rich beginning for Naser's musical path. This unique influence is the source of Hani's eclectic drumming style. Considered a master in his field, Naser inspired Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times to call him a 'Veritable Hand Drum Wizard'. The breadth of Naser's talent has earned him the opportunity to perform and record with many of the most influential artists of this era.
CRAIG EASTMAN (U.S.A.): violin, slide, guitars mandolin and instruments from around the world
Craig has been playing the fiddle since he was a young boy of 6 years old. He is now a producer and an accomplished musician - playing not only the fiddle but violin, lap steel, mandolin, dobro, and organ (among other instruments). He has worked with composer Hans Zimmer to scoring recent soundtracks such as Pearl Harbor and Blackhawk Down and many others. Craig Has recorded with many fine musicians including Ray Charles and Jennifer Warnes.
ARMAND SABAL-LECCO (Cameroon): bass and vocals
Armand Sabal-Lecco is a virtuoso artist, composer, singer and internationally acclaimed bass superstar. His impressive list of worldwide credits include Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Sir George Martin, Seal, Herbie Hancock, Christina Aguilera, Jeff Beck, Carole King, Brian Wilson, Ray Charles, Ringo Starr, Celine Dion and Stanley Clarke.
Sabal-Lecco's compositions for John Pattitucci's "Another World" led to Grammy nominations in 1994, and he has been honored by the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences for his work on the Brecker Brothers Grammy Winner "Out of the Loop", as well as the hit 2002 Latin Grammy "Alejandro Sanz Unplugged".
"ASL" has also scored numerous motion pictures and commercial projects, and is currently recording and producing his new band, "The Rest of The World."
WALFREDO REYES JR. (Cuba): drums and percussion
Born in Cuba, raised in Puerto Rico and culminating his musical style in the U.S., Wally (Walfredo Jr.) learned the traditions from the master, his father Walfredo Sr. Few drummers playing today can successfully combine the rich history of Latin, Afro-Cuban and World Percussion with the drum set. For Walfredo Reyes Jr., fusing the two disciplines has been his driving passion. In fact, by blazing this path, Reyes has challenged the technical levels of our instrument. Because of his versatility, Walfredo is one of the most in demand musicians in the world today. He currently lives in the Los Angeles area where he continues to expand his talents to recording, producing, composing, education, live performance and touring.
