This came in late in the day yesterday - running again in case you missed it! -ed

Blasting off tonight at 7pm at the Fridge and running straight through til Sunday's all day/night finale event, 88’s FORWARD Festival will be in full effect, a 5 day event that has gained momentum from its past two installations and is looking to be even stronger the third time around. FORWARD includes 7 different events and 2 workshops that will take place at 7 different venues across the city. What stands out about FORWARD is its ability to become a more interactive experience for its participants. With live music, live art, live design and workshops that distribute practical skills, it bodes well with a more intellectual crowd while still injecting its guests with enough energy to pull in an extremely diverse group of fun seekers.

In an effort to truly focus on building community in DC, something that is extremely important to 88, they have once again reached out to some of the other promotional groups in the area to assist them with the festival. Their close friends at Everybody Loves Music, Just Quality Music, District Ignition, and Sonic Circuits are just a few of the crews that will help to implement different facets of electronic music.  The headlining DJs and Live Acts are much more impressive than last year, with Theo Parrish (Detroit), Trus’me (UK), Barem (Argentina), MRK1 (UK), Kraddy (LA), Mike Slott (NYC), Jeremy Ellis (Detroit), Noah Pred (Toronto), Eric Johnston (Detroit), The Great Mundane (Portland), KiloWatts (Philadelphia), City Rain (Philadelphia), Shen (Toronto) and John Henry Dale (Portland) all converging on DC for this 5 day dream of a lineup.  The live painting, sculpture and design at the festival this year will feature an intriguing lineup with Arijit Das, Jeremy Arn, 2Stimuli, Brokengrid, Jeramie Belmay, David London, Decoy, Mikal Hameed, Jason Horowitz, Daniel "R5" Barojas and Graham Jackson all contributing their creative skills.

As the past 2 years have shown, FORWARD Festival should be a stimulating experience for all of your senses.  It’s a must-see, must-hear event for anyone interested in the state of the DC art and music community.

For interviews and mixes with the DJs and Live Acts participating in the festival, visit:  www.eightyeightdc.com/88blog

Festival Passes that ensure entry for all 7 Festival Events and both workshops (a $250 value) are available until 4PM TODAY for only $45: http://forward3.eventbrite.com/

THE FORWARD 2010 FESTIVAL GUIDE

Sponsored by: posheventdc.com

WED.03.17

‘X’ FORWARD Kickoff

Venue: The Fridge | Rear Alley 516 8th St SE
Hours: 7PM – 12AM
Cost: $5 (FREE with Festival Pass: http://forward3.eventbrite.com)

Featuring: The Vantastic Teleportour
The Great Mundane – LIVE
KiloWatts – LIVE
City Rain – LIVE
Live Design by: 2Stimuli/Brokengrind, Arijiit Das/Graham Jackson
Live Divergencuy: David London & Decoy
Live Sculpture: Jeramie Bellamy
Featured Art Exhibit: Mikal Hameed (mikalhameed.com)
+ MORE!

Mind Blowing video from last year's FORWARD edition of 'X':

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/4283330[/vimeo]

It's been since Halloween when the last 'X' event in DC took place, and we couldn't be happier having the event that defined our crew as a creative powerhouse as the opening event for the 3rd Annual FORWARD FESTIVAL! We enlisted some of our favorites this year to help kick off the festival right. And kicking it off are three dear friends to us since 88’s inception. The Great Mundane, Kilowatts and City Rain. Since we held the last X party back in Twenty Aught Nine, these three have been furiously touring and prepping new music to drop on your St. Patty’s Day celebration. The visual entertainment will be on par if not superior to those of the X parties as a fine group of artists including local favorite David London. As for the venue it is quickly becoming one of our new faves. If you joined us for the Untold party you will know the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in the DC area.

KiloWatts Mix: http://www.fwd.dj/audio/by-artist/225

THURS.03.18

This Is How We Do Techno

Venue: Aqua | 1818 New York Ave NE
Hours: 9PM – 4AM
Cost: $10 Before 11PM | $15 After (FREE with Festival Pass: http://forward3.eventbrite.com)

Featuring 2 Monster Sound Systems Hosted by 88 & District Ignition + Killer Lighting/Decor/Visual Projections:

BAREM
(Minus, Argentina)

NOAH PRED
(Thoughtless, Toronto)

MEASAX+DOCINDO
(88, Stirsound, DC)

2RIP vs RAMZ
(District Ignition, mnmlife, B.A.D.ASS, DC)

MORE OR LESS
(MOL, Baltimore)

CHRISTAUFF
(District Ignition)

If you missed last year's kick-off to FORWARD, the This Is How We Do party, then you undoubtedly heard about it. Two sound systems, deco, late night antics, crazy space, Killer music. Expect the same for ROUND TWO this year at Aqua where, in conjunction with our friends at District Ignition, we will be featuring the sound that swept DC by storm this year - Techno. You've probably heard of the infamous warehouse parties Richie Hawtin threw back in the day in Detroit. Well, try to imagine that circa 2010 with Hawtin's Minus label protege Barem (Argentina) paired with the currently blowing up label director for Thoughtless Noah Pred (Toronto), TEC residents Measax + Docindo and District Ignition's DJ 2rip vs Ramz ; with Second sound acid lounge sounds provided with Detroit transplants and Baltimore based label owners/collective More-or-Less and DI's Christauff. We're coming correct with 2 Proper Sound Systems and Killer Lighting/Decor/Visual Projections. The night will be long, come prepared, no training wheels allowed. Expect the unexpected...that's what will be delivered - This Is How We Do Techno!

Check out the killer set of photos from last year's This is How We Do event by our main man Sexy Fitsum:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sexyfitsum/sets/72157615654583405/

Exclusive interview with BAREM: http://www.eightyeightdc.com/88blog/?p=1028

Exclusive mix by BAREM: http://eightyeightdc.com/88blog/mixes/Barem-Robert%20Johnson%209_19_09.mp3

Exclusive interview with NOAH PRED: http://www.eightyeightdc.com/88blog/?p=1037

Exclusive mix by NOAH PRED: http://plasmodium.net/audio/Plasmodium015_NoahPred_12282009.mp3

FRI.03.19

Future Bass Showcase

Venue: U St. Music Hall | 1115 U St. NW DC
Hours: 9PM - ???
Cost: $15 Before 11PM | $20 After (FREE with Festival Pass: http://forward3.eventbrite.com)

Featuring DC's Heaviest New Sound System & Dancefloor

MRK1
(Planet Mu, Contagious, UK)

KRADDY
(Refiner, Muti, Venice)

ALIGNING MINDS LIVE
(Transistor, 88, Aleph Zero, DC)

BORN INFINITE
(bornimusic.com, DC)

HARRY RANSOM
(EXBC, Apple Juice, DC)

ARE YOU READY FOR 40,000 WATTS OF CHEST POUNDING BASS?
YOU BETTER BE!

MRK1 BIO:

Manchester's MRK1 (formerly Mark One) has been causing a stir on the Grime (Dubstep/Sublow/Forward) scene since his first release on his label Contagious over two years ago. He has appeared in a handful of magazines, including Deuce, Mixmag, B&S, Touch to name but a few, and was nominated for BEST GRIME PRODUCER at the 2003 Sidewinder awards. Planet Mu Records are pleased to be releasing MarkOne's first artist album "OneWay". With this album Mark is crossing over & fusing different styles with grime like hip hop, electro & dnb, but all with that menacing bass and spacey production that is a hallmark of the MarkOne sound (a more grimey, industrial, future sound than some of his previous breaks influenced releases). Originally a Drum and Bass producer in Sheffield, he switched up styles five years ago after a lot of frustration with the drum and bass scene. When one of his early tunes was dropped at Forward, things started moving and he became accepted into the wider 'Forward' scene. Since then Mark has appeared on various compilation albums and has had releases on Polydor's P Records, Soulja, Tempa, Texture, Immunity, Hard Livin, Vehicle, Southside, A.R.M.Y, Contagious and most notably Rephlex's GRIME compilation as well as having loads of offers to work with other labels. Mark was also responsible for signing up Plasticman to Contagious as well as bringing him into Virus Syndicate. Mark has played with the Virus Syndicate and all over the UK as well as internationally; including One Nation in Germany.

KRADDY BIO:

Known as a pioneer of electronic music, Kraddy is one of the most innovative and remarkable artists of his day. He stands as a visionary in his field, a fresh voice that spans genres and artistic style. Hybridizing hip hop, dubstep and dancehall with digital edits and cuts, Kraddy’s music is a voice from the future awakening our ears and minds to what is yet to come. Originally from NY, Kraddy (born Matthew Kratz) began his musical career in San Francisco releasing his debut album, Truth Has No Path, in 2003. With the release of the single “Faux Show” (a remix of The Old Dirty Bastard’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”,) Kraddy became an underground favorite in the electronic music world. After a handful of vinyl breakbeat releases, Kraddy changed the game once again with his sophomore effort, The Illegal Album. Fueled by fierce beats and searing edits, The Illegal Album was a radical fusion of Kraddy’s unique production chops with classic hip hop and dancehall acapellas. It was hailed as a breakthrough and soon after led to his collaboration with the Glitch Mob. As a founding member of the Glitch Mob, Kraddy continued to innovate the sound and possibilities of digital music. It was during this time that Kraddy released “Android Porn”, a track hailed as the anthem of the “glitch hop” genre. With its epic melody, dramatic builds and unrelenting beats and bass, “Android Porn” marked a milestone in the creation of a sound so fresh, no one had a name for it. After several more well-received releases with the Glitch Mob, Kraddy struck off on his own to pursue his solo career as a producer and performer where he continues to tour worldwide with his futuristic fission of dubstep, hip hop and dancehall. Kraddy’s most recent projects include remixes for Mochipet and Echaskech as well as an Android Porn Remix EP, due out in February 2010. Also highly anticipated in 2010, Kraddy plans to release 4 EPs, each with a different theme. Based on his recent remix work, his fans and fellow producers alike eagerly await to see how Kraddy will reinvent the game once again.

Aligning Minds Mix: http://www.fwd.dj/episode/fwd0089

Harry Ransom Exclusive Mix:

FRI.03.19

JustQualityMusic.com Presents:  Eric Johnston

ERIC JOHNSTON
( W + L, Archipel, Esperanza, Leftroom.. – DETROIT )

STEVE BUGBEE
( District Ignition, mnmlife, Pseudo Society – DETROIT/DC )

ASSOCIATE
( JQM, – DETROIT/DC )

PETEONE
( JQM – CHICAGO/DC )

LOCATION: 1438 U ST NW – SECOND FLOOR

$10 / FREE WITH FORWARD FESTIVAL PASSES***

*** AVAILABLE AT http://forward3.eventbrite.com/

OPEN BAR 9PM – 10 PM

DOOR 9PM we go till 3AM+

ERIC JOHNSTON BIO:

A Detroit native, Eric Johnston starting DJing in 2000, but has been a passionate music lover his entire life. In the course of 30 years he has taught himself several different instruments, which has greatly extended his appreciation of all genres of music, whether dance friendly or not. This creativity, ambition, focus, and breadth of imagination is what drives his perpetual quest for the creation of new, unconventional sounds...sounds which push the boundaries of any and all clearly defined dance genres, whether it be minimal, house, tech-house, or techno. From the looks of his release schedule, his unorthodox approach appears to be generating some attention. His first major track, produced in 2007, was quickly released by New York’s Wolf + Lamb label. “Headphone Hairstyle” was placed on major charts by the likes of Troy Pierce and others, and was played by Ricardo Villalobos almost immediately after its release. Eric’s music and stunning performances have gained him headlining slots into clubs across the United States and Europe – playing such places as Watergate and Week12end in Berlin, Cityfox in Zurich and Pratersauna in Vienna. His first full release, “Waiting for Weird,” came out in February 2008 on Detroit’s own D Records and has been played by and included in Len Faki’s mix - Berghain 03. His second EP, “I Should Have Listened to Bella” was released in late April 2008 on Madrid’s Esperanza label, home to other exciting, genre-stretching artists like Dario Zenker, Jorge Savoretti, Seth Troxler, and Franco Cinelli. A third EP, further expanding his musical depth, was released in March 2009 as the rebirth Montreal's Kalimari imprint. In both his live PA and his DJ sets Eric always has one ear toward the best of the classic Detroit sound and the other toward the cutting edge of European dance music, creating his own distinctive sound. Today, Eric continues to work with established artists and release his masterwork with labels such as Archipel, Leftroom and Cityfox.

Eric Johnston Mix: http://soundcloud.com/justqualitymusic/ericjohnstondjsetstadtpark1109

Eric Johnston Interview: http://www.justqualitymusic.com/?p=1938

FRI.03.19

Sonic Circuits Showcase

Doors 730pm Music 8pm SHARP
$8 (FREE with Festival Pass: http://forward3.eventbrite.com)
PYRAMID ATLANTIC
8230 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20910
301.608.9101
located three blocks south of the silver spring metro station (red line)
Free parking in gated lot out front
DIRECTIONS: www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
INFO: dc-soniccircuits.org

SAT.03.20

FORWARD WORKSHOPS

ABLETON LIVE WORKSHOP w/ Certified Instructor Noah Pred
Hours: 12pm – 2pm
Venue: The Fridge | Rear Alley 516 8th St SE
Cost: $50 (FREE FOR ALL FESTIVAL PASS HOLDERS)

2-hour intermediate session: making ableton live work for you, covering…

- clip envelope automation
- follow actions
- building racks
- generative midi
- using the groove pool
+ many more tips and tricks…

3D WORKSHOP w/ Kamil Nawratil of 2Stimuli
Hours: 3pm – 5pm
Venue: The Fridge | Rear Alley 516 8th St SE
Cost: $50 (FREE FOR ALL FESTIVAL PASS HOLDERS)

Description of the 3D Workshop:

2-hour intermediate/advanced session – 3d camera mapping and after effects compositing.
Instructor: Kamil Nawratil
Cost: $35
Time: 3 – 5pm

Learn how to:
- build a scene based on a photograph
- create and animate objects
- illuminate the scene, and render using gi
- bring the file to AE and composit
- tips and tricks

It is recommended that participants bring laptop/desktop with a trial version of cinema 4d and after effects

Here is a short sample of what the workshop will be covering….

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/10062596[/vimeo]

SAT.03.20

Everybody Loves Music & 88 host “The DIG”

Venue: T&T Clubhouse | 5123 Georgia Ave NW
Hours: 10PM - 4AM
Cost: $15 All Night (FREE with Festival Pass: http://forward3.eventbrite.com)

A special installment that’s part of the FORWARD FESTIVAL

Featuring on the mainfloor:

THEO PARRISH
(Sound Signature, Detroit)

TRUS’ME
(Prime Numbers, D3K, Manchester)

SOLOMON SANCHEZ
(ATTN, DC)

The basement:

KC of FATBACK and NITEKRAWLER of MONEYTOWN.

THEO PARRISH BIO:
Love of the music should be the driving force of any producer, performer or dj. Everything else stems from that core, that love. With that love, sampling can become a tribute, an expansion on ideas long forgotten, reconstruction, collage. Using this same understanding openly & respectfully , can turn DJing into spiritual participation. It can turn a few hours of selection into essential history. Necessary listening through movement. This personal philosophy gives shape and direction to the distinctive sounds that are created by Theo Parrish. Theo Parrish was born in Washington D.C. in 1972 and raised in Chicago, IL where his passion for music developed. Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, George Gershwin, Bob Marley, as well as his uncle, jazz musician Dexter Sims, all had strong influences on Theo's early musical life. Chicago's radio influences and House artists such as Ron Hardy , Larry Heard, Lil Louis, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Gene Hunt , Mike Dunn, Frankie Knuckles , Walter Get Down Brown and Andre Hatchett, helped to spawn Mr. Parrish's early career. He began spinning and producing tracks in 1986, at the age of thirteen... After graduating from the Academy for the Arts, he received a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute where his interest in music was taken to a new level through his study of sculpture. In 1994, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from KCAI with a concentration in Sound Sculpture, a form of orchestrating live instruments, looped recordings, the human voice, and numerous other sound generating devices. While in Kansas City, Theo continued to impact and be impacted by dance music, helping to bring a dormant underground music scene to life. In 1994, Theo Parrish moved to Michigan where he became heavily involved in Detroit's underground music scene. Producing music and delivering his unique and dynamic sets in venues throughout the Detroit and surrounding areas, as well as abroad he has gained the attention and respect of DJ's, producers, listeners and dancers worldwide.

Theo Parrish Mix: http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/37/

TRUS'ME BIO:
In the winter of 2006, on a whim, David James Wolstencroft, aka TRUS'ME, sent some of his work to various labels around the globe. It paid off. The now legendary CD sampler “Nards” led to the immediate release for TRUS'ME on the Still label, sparking the beginning of a promising musical career for one very talented individual. TRUS'ME’s musical roots trace way back to an early age where he dabbled with various instruments. He began studying production, but soon developed a love of vinyl culture, which shifted his focus towards the art of mixing and digging for unique samples. Surrounded by the heads of Manchester and its deep routed scene his musical taste has continued to evolve, resulting in eclectic DJ sets where his passion exudes. Naturally, this diversity shines through in his production: “Like bookends, some 12”s will work with both the beginning and the end of the night, such is the classy sampling from TRUS'ME.” Peter Nicholson XLR8R Review March 2007. TRUSME’s debut release on Chicago’s Still Music label was quickly followed by two more, all blowing up on both sides of the pond and accelerating the buzz on this new artist. His production is constantly compared to Moodymann and other such Detroit luminaries with releases usually snatching ‘Record of the week’ in hosts of global outlets from Piccadilly Records - Manchester to Jazzy Sport – Japan. He’s also getting love from all the right supporters, Ashley Beedle, Rob da Bank, Mad Matts, Kenny Dixon Jr, Amp Fiddler, Chris Duckenfield, Rob Luis….and the list keeps growing. His debut was first championed by Gilles Peterson on BBC radio 1: “If there was ever a house record made for me, it would sound like this.” Dec 2007 sees the release of his first album. Entitled “Working Nights”, this captures some of the previous singles along with a host of future classics which re-enforce the Trusme sound.“it's difficult to name highlights when every track is so good” seems to be a common reaction from a growing global fan-base. One thing’s for sure it is a timeless debut that’s sure to last. “i am actually blown away from the flow, production and music…my kinda housemusic for sure. 100% soulful” Michael Rutten - Compost. In less than a year Trusme has established himself as a serious and prolific producer with a huge career in front of him. 2008 will see the launch of his own label imprint “Prime Numbers” an outlet for him and other great artists that fit the ethos Trusme is about. He has lots of projects under way for Defected, Tru Thoughts, Eskimo and the second album is already rolling with some exciting guests involved….It’s time to catch a rising star in the making!

Exclusive Trus'me Interview: http://www.eightyeightdc.com/88blog/?p=1046

Trus'me Mix: http://www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Prime_Numbers_mix03.mp3

CAN YOU DIG IT?

SUN.03.21

FORWARD FESTIVAL FINALE: Beats, Booze, BBQ & Bananas

Venue: Lost & Found | 1240 9th St. NW DC
Hours: 2PM - 10PM
Cost: $10 (FREE with Festival Pass: http://forward3.eventbrite.com)

Sunday March 21st is not going to be a calm, relaxing wind-down party to end the Forward Festival, in fact we've saved our most diverse linuep of International talent for our Finale this year! Expect a day/evening of Live Graffiti, BBQ and some of the best afterhour body rockin music in the world. We couldn't have generated a better cast of characters to end the fest than this - at a spot that no one has been to (you know how we do). Join us for what promises to be an epic end to the 3rd Annual FORWARD Festival.

Featuring 2 Sound Systems, Live Painting/Graffiti, BBQ & Mischief

SHEN LIVE
(Muti, Native State Records, Toronto)

MIKE SLOTT LIVE
(LuckyMe, All City, NYC/Glasgow)

JEREMY ELLIS LIVE
(Ubiquity, Transmat, Detroit)

ROBERT MANOS LIVE
(Soul:r, Metalheadz, NYC)

JOHN HENRY DALE LIVE
(Cheeseless Bitefunk, Portland)

ALVIN RISK LIVE
(alvinrisk.com, DC)

WHALEFISH
(whalefish.org, DC)

SALT & PEPPER
(cLinC + Joel Chandler)

LIVE PAINTING/GRAFFITI: JEREMY ARN, 2STIMULI & DANIEL "R5" BAROJAS

Mike Slott Bio:

Over the last few years Mike has cemented his reputation at the forefront of futurist hip hop production. With a style that is hard to pin down - encompassing a myriad of influences from free jazz to 80s boogie via golden age hip hop. His previous work alongside Hudson Mohawke as Heralds of Change set the benchmark for the new-school of dynamic beatmakers. Since then he has released 2 solo 7”s on All City, a split 7” with Dabrye, appeared on Beat Dimensions 2, Mary Anne Hobbs 'Wild Angels' compilation and provided high profile remixes for Warp and Citinite. Originally from Dublin, via Glasgow, now based in Harlem NYC Mike has many places to draw upon. The son of the late-Jazz legend Mike Nolan and brother to the modern classical composer Luke Slott, Mike effortlessly embodies his influences on this release.

Jeremy Ellis Interview:

Detroit-based Jeremy Ellis moved to Puerto Rico to create an album marrying traditional Bomba and Plena rhythms with Detroit-schooled dance music. After three months, the keyboard maestro and golden-toned vocalist discovered that the living in Puerto Rico ain't so easy. On his way home he lost two computers, all of his recordings, half of his recording advance, and his passport (and possibly part of his mind). Fortunately, Ellis returned in one piece with the musical knowledge and resolve to create The Lotus Blooms, an album of insatiable future funk grounded in Detroit and peppered with a Puerto-Rican persuasion.

From his retake on the traditional Puerto Rican song Cortano A Elena to the broken beat driven song These Passing Days the Puerto Rican influences vary in strength. Heavy Latin vibes can be found in Bombakiss and the montuno of the opening track Take Your Time (check also the harder remixed version which can be found as bonus cut #17). There is also plenty of room for more Detroit-styled outings. His near 10 minute epic Callelunakarma jumps from hip hop to broken to house to future jazz fusion and back to hip hop again while the track which gave birth to the album title Lotusblooms blurs the line between boogie-tune, house and broken beat.

"At one point I felt like I was being arrogant to try and learn everything about Puerto Rican music in just 2-3 months. But once I was back in Detroit the sound just naturally occurred, the influences and everything I?d learned came back to me", explains Ellis. "The most striking event was the San Sebastian Street festival. I?ll never forget feeling the energy of thousands of people dancing together and seeing bomba groups making music as a direct interchange between dancer and musician," he adds.

This is only the second album for Jeremy Ellis (his first for Ubiquity) and yet he has already appeared on albums, remixes, and tracks by Jazzanova, Roy Davis Jr, Carl Craig, John Beltran, John Arnold, Recloose and many more. His tracks have appeared on compilations by Gilles Peterson, Dixon and Alex Attias. Dropping down somewhere between Bugz In The Attic and Kerrier District, Jazzanova and Metro Area, Ellis balances jazz licks with Detroit bounce, future beats and classic soul.

Ellis' one-man show capabilities are not limited to the studio - on-stage he has developed a unique, energetic, and infectious solo show that is the opposite of the one-man laptop bore. Energetically working every piece of machinery on stage, he seamlessly creates a live show by engineering tracks from scratch, mixing them into new songs, and remixing his and other peoples tunes. He has coined the term freestyle or freestyle electronic to describe this improvised clash of playing, programming, and singing.

"It was a natural evolution for me as I'm not a DJ and I wanted to make the next big step to make really live electronic music. Its difficult to cram so much music in and to sound fluid like a DJ set would, but that?s what the challenge of freestyle is about," explains Ellis. "Previously I would create rough ideas in the week or two before the gig and explore them live on the night. From the Omoa Records Christmas Party that I had to perform at in 2002 onwards, I've done it all freestyle - I've improved and tweeked the set so that I can flow freely from track to track and really make it live. To do this I've moved drum sounds into easier places to play off the MPC, and then I've organized keyboard sounds so I can access stuff off of my Waldorf microQ," he explains. "I've realized that the process needs to be as fluid and intuitive as possible because that is what allows me to interact with the gear and also the audience," he adds.

Ellis' reputation as an amazing live performer coupled with the music released to date convinced Ubiquity Records to sign him for a new album to be released in late February 2005. His early 12" releases also caught the ears of other labels and producers leading to remix work for Jazzanova, Fertile Ground, John Beltran, John Arnold, and others. His Jazzanova mix pushed the limits when Ellis wrote and performed new lyrics to the existing track adding his gritty Detroit remix flavor. Rather than wallow in the obscurity that cloaks many Detroit producers, Ellis has stepped out with ?The Lotus Blooms.? It?s a focused album backed with a kicking live show and a label anxious to spread the word.

As a student of jazz and classical piano and percussion Ellis cut his teeth in the Detroit music scene performing with Jazzhead, the jazz-fusion group that also featured Ubiquity label mate John Arnold. He has played worldwide as a member of Time:Space, and over the years has worked with Detroit producers John Beltran, Carl Craig, Recloose, and Alton Miller. Artists as varied as Bach and Chopin, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, the Beatles and U2, are his main influences. He?s an extremely curious musician always delving into new styles and picking up new tricks as he goes.

The list of Jeremy Ellis live performances includes show at the Detroit Electronic Music festival in 2001 and 2003, playing with Jazzanova and Koop, headlining with Kyoto Jazz Massive in Tokyo, rocking all-night block parties on the streets of Puerto Rico and kicking off the Ubiquity/Puma SoundClash series in San Francisco.

Jeremy at work:

Fore More Info Please Visit: www.eightyeightdc.com

MAKE SURE YOU GRAB YOUR 2010 FORWARD FESTIVAL COMPILATION CD!
Available at all Forward Events.