Jodi Nelson, a multi-artist with experience in film, music, theatre, radio and television has had the opportunity to perform in many mediums throughout her life. She recently received her MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts and also earned her BA in Public Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
She recently wrapped on two starring roles in the feature films "Far West" and her production company’s first feature "Chasing Life," in which she also wrote and produced. Details can be found on the film’s website at www.chasinglifethemovie.com and www.farwestthemovie.com.
Other starring roles include: four films, two Spec Pilots, nine plays and was featured in various Network TV shows such as "The West Wing," "The Bonnie Hunt Show," and "The District" to name a few. She has directed and produced two music videos and a Documentary "It's A Hard Rock Life", written a play "I, Candy," a film short, "Jane Bond," three feature length screenplays, "Chasing Life," "Forever A Maiden," and a book adaptation of "The Messiah Stones," as well as over several hundred songs and poems, some which have been published.
Also a prolific singer/songwriter, she was recognized as an emerging talent in music, has been published in various local, regional and national newspapers and received radio airplay both nationally and internationally for her debut CD "Maybe, I Will..." Her music television debut occurred on the Austin, Texas Music Network’s "Breakin’ In," which continues to rotate her live performance tapings, as well as the music video she produced. One of the first recipients of the Jim Beam Grant Program (B.E.A.M. Grant Program - Benefiting Emerging Artists and Musicians), her award aided in the recording costs of the debut CD being sold on www.cdbaby.com.
*The Victoria Advocate describes her debut; "Her voice is simply mesmerizing. I can’t remember the last time I heard this much pure pop talent captured on one CD!"
*Pat DiNizio of the popular 80s band The Smithereens; "I’m extremely impressed with Jodi’s talent and dedication to her music."
*Dallasmusic.com; "The most outstanding quality of the debut CD is Jodi’s vocal style. Her smooth, seductive voice deserves the passionate attention listeners will give her."
She was a Top 20 finalist in the "Lilith Fair" Music Competition in both the Austin and Dallas, TX competitions, and she recently finished co-writing the Soundtrack for "Chasing Life" with musician/composer Tiaraju Aronovich.
Her production company, Hip Chik Productions recently finished it’s first feature "Chasing Life" and the Music Video "I Want it All." Co-producing with a company out of Brazil, Cinematik. Check out her websites at www.jodinelson.com and www.hipchikproductions.com.
Tiaraju Aronovich -
Guitars/Vocals/Writer/Composer
Tiaraju Aronovich
has been working professionally as a multi-artist since the early age of
8, when he got his first role as an actor for a TV show in Brazil (RaTimBum
Castle, TV Cultura).
By the time he was 18, he had not only acted, but also written soundtracks for TV programs and enjoyed a reputable career as a musician. Aronovich organized prestigious Music Festivals in Sao Paulo and became a prize winner in virtually every music competition in which he participated, including the world’s most important classical guitar competition, the Guitar Foundation of America Competition in 2000, when his performance in the final round was described by the San Antonio Express News as "…exciting, agile, go-for-broke…"
He was awarded full scholarships from seven North American Universities to pursue his undergraduate studies in the arts (including Stetson University, University of Southern California - USC, Arizona State University and California Institute of the Arts).
In 2003/2004, he wrote and produced his first film, "Far West." Together with Brazilian executive Mariana Garcia, he is also the founder of Cinematik Productions, which is currently completing two feature films, while establishing international partnerships for future projects. Visit them at www.cinematik.biz
After performing in the US, South America and Europe (including a performance at the newly built RedCat Theatre (Roy & Edna Disney Center for New Theatre) in Downtown LA, where he premiered a piece for Solo Guitar and Orchestra, he continues producing and writing soundtracks and acting for numerous independent films.
Kai
Kurosawa - Bass
Kai Kurosawa’s
reputation as one of the most diverse and professional bass players in
Boston has not gone unnoticed. His command of and creativity with the
Warr guitar also distinguishes him as an artist. Kai’s gift for
composition creates a vast array of textures and emotions, adding a
mystical quality to the Everpresent sound. Kai’s contribution is a key
component in allowing the band to play Electronica, usually a programmed
and vinyl genre, in the live setting.
Outside of Everpresent, Kai recently completed a solo Jazz-Fusion CD, and was featured on Kyler England’s second album, If the World Would Just End. In addition, Kai enjoys visual media and lends his talents in both video direction and photography.
Born in Maebashi, Japan, Kai mainly writes and performs on a warr guitar. Growing up in a small city, Kai’s performing situations were limited. Although he had the technique for solo bass playing, he felt that the bass was not enough to express his music. Kai picked up the warr guitar in the summer of 1999 and since then has developed his own approach to playing. The instrument, having both the range of a guitar and bass, allows Kai to perform in solo and duet situations in which the warr guitar acts as the guitar, bass, and piano. The instrument gives Kai’s music new dimension and textures, and truly adds to his distinct, jazz-fusion style.
While attending Berklee College of Music (’01) Kai met Shin Orita (drums) who Kai describes as having the biggest influence on him musically. The duet performed and worked together constantly, and in 2002 decided to add saxophonist Ian Rapien (also a JRRecords artist) to the group. Kai truly feels that Sin and Ian bring his music to life. With this group, Kai recorded his album in the summer and fall of 2002. The album features different ensemble settings and various styles of composition that effectively show Kai’s ability as not only a great musician, but a well-rounded, talented composer. His beautiful melody lines, dynamic playing, and sensitive interaction between the players are what really make Kai’s music extraordinary.
During his time in Boston, Kai participated in many local bands as well as studio recordings. Recently, you may have seen Kai playing warr guitar on the streets and in the Boston subway stations. Currently, Kai has been composing and performing with Crossroads and recently completed his Masters in music at the California Institute of the Arts.
Erik
Shapiro - Drums/Percussion
Eric Shapiro
graduated from California Institute of the Arts and hooked up with
Guitarist Tiaraju Aronovich to form the rock band Crossroads. They have
been collaborating on both American Rock forms, jazz fusion, as well as
Brazilian samba music for the past 4 years.
