Doug Martin’s Avatar Ensemble

Doug Martin Avatar Ensemble Photo
Artist website: dougmartinguitar.com
$10-15
8pm, March 19, 2011

The ensemble features:
Doug Martin – guitar
Jason Vanderford – guitar
Mike Zisman – mandolin
Marty Eggers – bass

Doug Martin Avatar Ensemble The Avatar Ensemble, led by guitarist Doug Martin, was formed in early 2009 after Dougʼs return and relocation back from Shanghai, China and various international tours with gypsy guitarist Lulo Reinhardt.

The band performs a variety of high energy gypsy swing in the tradition of Django Reinhardt as well as hot Latin grooves and fiery gypsy waltzes. Rather than simply cover familiar hits of Djangoʼs era, Avatar Ensemble takes the tradition a step further by performing lesser heard gems of the genre as well as creating original material often implementing elements from other musical traditions of Europe, East Asia, South America and of course American Swing.

Rounding out the groupʼs lineup along with Doug Martin is excellent Bay Area based rhythm guitarist, Jason Vanderford, veteran rhythm section guitarist for the Hot Club of San Francisco, along with mandolinist Mike Zisman and upright bass extraordinaire, Joe Kyle Jr.

Since the bandʼs inception, the group has performed in a variety of venues throughout the greater Bay Area and also performed as one of the headlining acts at West Coast Djangofests in 2009 and 2010. In the summer of 2009 the ensemble released their first full length CD entitled, Giniker, which also features violinist Annie Staninec and clarinetist Dan Magay. Giniker is available at Cdbaby and Itunes. For more information on the Avatar Ensemble please visit Doug Martinʼs website at: www.dougmartinguitar.com

“Doug Martin plays with fire, precision, and creativity he is part of the new breed of guitarists that are carrying on the Django tradition with such fervor . . . recommended!”
– Mimi Fox

“They sound very good, they have that gypsy soul . . . It’s nice to hear a good guitarist” -Two time Grammy winner and Funk Brother (Standing in the Shadows of Motown) – guitarist Joe Messina

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