BAND MEMBERS
Keyboard
Grammy Award Winning Pianist Ruslan Sirota has already traveled the world, playing with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop music. Born in Uman, in what is now Ukraine, Ruslan’s musical heritage comes from a family rich with generations of musicians. Ruslan’s family moved to Israel when he was ten, where he continued his music studies. At 17, he captured a prized scholarship to the Berklee School of Music.
After graduating in 2003, Ruslan jumped right in and started playing with the most prolific and legendary names in Jazz. He played on and wrote material for Stanley Clarke’s The Toys of Men on the track “Jerusalem.” He’s also collaborated and toured the world with Dennis Chambers, Marcus Miller, Seal, Eric Benet, Brian McKnight, Jonathan Butler, and Josh Groban. Ruslan has released his Self Titiled Debut Album.
Saxophone
"There are thousands of performers that can play the notes, Shlomi Cohen makes the music."
Brent Black - critical jazz.com
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Shlomi Cohen, born in Tel Aviv, Israel, has had a multicultural musical education, based in part on his surroundings both in Tel Aviv and New York City, and also from his Moroccan and Yemeni heritage. This mix of styles in his sound has made him a much sought-after saxophonist. Shlomi was part of the Grammy-nominated album "Frutero Moderno" by Gonzalo Grau & La Clave Secreta. He is part of a special collaboration with Colombian Harpist Edmar Castaneda, bringing this incredible and unique form of music to the world. As an integral part of the horn section Shlomi was playing with the Bernie Worrell Orchestra (founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic).
Shlomi is based in New York City and regularly collaborates with various musical projects around the city and beyond.
Guitar
Itay Lasky was born at a very early age on Deceber 27th 1978 in Israel, a date that shall live in infamy. After experimenting as a self-taught blues-rock guitarist from the age of 13, Itay went on to become a fusion Guitar player and composer, and attended "Rimon" music academy 1994-1996. In 1995 Itay co-founded CONFUSION with Asaf Kofler and had an overall great time. Later on, 2000-2003 Itay worked shortly as a session player and music instructor at various educational centers.
Nowadays, Itay Lasky is practicing all the time. Itay is a practicing attorney, leading an independent law firm specializing in the field of civil litigation in Israel. Itay gave up on music and quit playing Guitar after selling his soul to Law school in 2003. In 2011 Dear friend and Keyboardist Ruslan Sirota reminded Itay he was a musician, but only in 2017 he decided to pick up Guitar again, establish a new music production company, Secret World Productions, and is once more having a great time.
Bass
Asaf started playing bass at age 14 and studied at Rimon School of Music in Tel Aviv, Israel.
At 17 Asaf co-formed the band Confusion, that achieved wide success in Israel. Confusion was a main feature at the Red Sea International Jazz Festival in 1998 and 1999 sharing the stage with the biggest jazz artists of that time such as Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Brad Mehldau and many more.
In 2000 Asaf moved to Madrid Spain where he got exposed more deeply to flamenco, a style he grew up listening to at home from a very young age.With in months, Asaf had the opportunity to play with Ruben Dantas, the percussionist of Paco de Lucia. Asaf also played with jazz pianist and composer, legend, Horacio Icasto one of Spain's iconic artists.
At 2001 Asaf decided to join his older brother, Adam Del Monte, in Los Angeles to become a founding member of Adam del Monte’s Trio and other musical adventures.
Drums
Eran Asias was born on July 15h, 1979 in Tel- Aviv Israel. He started playing drums at the age of ten, later studying at the Tel-Aviv Music Conservatory.He graduated with a Diploma of Excellence after completing his eight years of studies.
Eran moved to New York City in the year 2002 , Currently playing with Julian Lennon & Patty Smyth . Some of his credits in the music industry include:
-TV appearance with Julian Lennon on the CBS morning show .
-Music Video with Julian Lennon . "Lucy", the title track from his latest album, about his childhood friend who also inspired the Beatles' hit song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
-TV appearance on the unvision channel - with Sonny Artist THALIA and EMI artist PEEWEE,Also featuring David Archuleta from American Idol season 7 .
-TV Appearance With Singer Gloria Estefan on the Today Show and the Martha Stuart Show .
-Toured with singer Patty Smyth & Scandal as part of VH-1's "We Are The 80's" tour, which included Rick Springfield ,Eddie Money and Lover Boy .
-TV appearance on the Regis and Kelly Morning Show with Patty Smyth & Scandal .