Neil Alexander & NAIL

A magical musical experience.... Led by synth wizard Neil Alexander (the Machine, Mahavishnu Project), Neil Alexander & NAIL seeks to broaden the landscape of Jazz and improvised music. With stylistic diversity and fierce musicianship, they skillfully blend modern and traditional forms with experimental concepts and hi tech electronic music, fusing it into an grooving, accessible sound that's mesmerizing. Featuring bassist Charlie Kniceley and drummer Nadav Zelniker, NAIL brings audiences a unique celebration of life and music. Their performance roster includes The Blue Note in NYC; opening for the likes of John Scofield, and performing at many other festivals and clubs. They're currently touring to support their 3rd CD "Tugging At The Infinite", featuring the smash hit "Everyman". In addition, they have now added Acoustic shows to their already formidable arsenal. Starting with classical music at age 8, Keyboardist NEIL ALEXANDER fell in love with the sound of the synthesizer after hearing "Switched on Bach". It would be another 7 years before he got his first synth. From then on he spent as much time becoming an expert programmer as well as a first rate pianist. Listening to keyboard heavy bands like ELP, Yes and Genesis growing up, another significant change came when he first heard the Mahavishnu Orchestra: Jazz! Since then he has performed continuously for 30+ years. He works with music in all forms and styles from Composer/Arranger and Production of Live Sound to Musical Theater, Modern Dance and Film. Grants from NYSCA and Meet The Composer gave Neil the opportunity to continue building on his composing skills. Neil also teaches Master Classes in Synthesizer Programming and Music Performance Technology, and composes works for small ensembles. As an active musician he has recordings and/or a performance history with a variety of groups and artists such as Gunther Hampel, Tal Ross (P-Funk), Charles Haynes, Erik Lawrence, and The Adaptors Movement Theater. His classical repertoire includes works by Stravinsky, Charles Ives, and John Cage. He recently retired from the Pink Floyd Tribute "The Machine", where he was a driving force in the group's success for ten years.