THE BANDS
The Hard Modes | The ConSouls | N!ESS
VGM Collective | 8-Bit Jazz Heroes
- THE HARD MODES -
VIRGINIA, USA
Greg Weaver - Saxophones | Brandon Walsh - Trumpet | Trevor Williams - Vibes
Nick Berkin - Keys | Andre La Velle - Bass | Pat Hayes - Drums
The Hard Modes is a sextet based in Charlottesville, VA, that plays original jazz arrangements of video game music. The arrangements focus on utilizing modern jazz harmonies, rhythms, and improvisation--"Uematsu meets Mingus."
Our goal is to unearth the natural pairing of jazz and game music, bringing gamers closer to the great original American art form known as jazz and introducing jazz lovers to the imaginative melodies of game composers. We believe that by utilizing our own individual interpretations of the jazz language through improvisation we are able to forge closer bonds with the game music that we love, creating a unique personal experience for our listeners.
- THE CONSOULS -
SYDNEY, AUS
Julian Sanchez - Keys | Timothy Teylan - Saxophone | Mark Joya - Drums | Jonathan Gamra - Bass
The Consouls are a Sydney based ensemble that combine their two loves of jazz and video games to create a unique sound for gamers and jazz fans alike. By drawing from their love of the jazz tradition and applying it to a songbook that doesn’t often cross into the genre, their unique sound is sure to provide a treat unlike any other. Their background in jazz mixed with soul and r’n’b sensibilities create a variety of different styles that are sure to satisfy, whether you’re after Miles Davis or Mario.
Best known for their arrangements on YouTube, the group have also composed a number of original compositions for video games and short films. In 2015, in addition to releasing their debut EP, the group was featured as part of TEDXMacquarieUniversity as well as a number of conferences and conventions across Australia, in both the jazz and video game space.
- N!ESS -
(NICE!—EDMOND IS SUPER SUMO-WRESTLER)
TOKYO, JPN
サイトーマナブ (Saito Manabu) - Tenor Sax | ぐっちゃん (Gutchan) - Trumpet | HaL - Piano
テラ (Terra) - Guitar | 823P (Hatsumi-P) - Bass | ワタリ・ワタリ・ワタリ (Watari Watari Watari) - Drums
私たちは古今東西のゲーム音楽を、古き良きジャズスタンダードスタイルで演奏するバンドです。 どんな国や文化にも"スタンダードナンバー"があります。例えばビートルズの名曲はみんな歌えるし、ジャズマンならFly me to the moonは誰でも演奏出来ます。スタンダードになるという事は、人々の心に残り続ける事です。 私たちは小さい頃からゲームが大好きで、ゲーム音楽こそが私たちにとっての"スタンダードナンバー"です。私たちは、素晴らしいゲーム、そしてゲーム音楽を産み出すクリエイターの方々を心から尊敬しています。
All countries and cultures have WORKS OF music that they consider their "standards". For example, anyone can sing a masterpiece by the Beatles, and for jazz musicians, anyone can play "Fly Me to the Moon." The fact that some musical numbers are considered standards means that the music continues to stay in the minds of people. We've loved computer games since we were kids--game music tunes are our standards. We sincerely honor creators who create amazing games and game music.
- VGM COLLECTIVE -
NEW YORK, USA
Max Boiko - Trumpet | Santosh Sharma - Sax | Matt Wong - Keys | TBA - Bass | Daniel Venz - Drums | Cole Hazlitt - Percussion
VGM Collective is an organization and 6 piece band dedicated to bringing relevance to the huge impact that 20th century video game music and its respective composers had on young musicians and people alike.
- 8-BIT JAZZ HEROES -
CALIFORNIA, USA
Adam Bellotto - Guitar | Robby Delosier - Bass | Michael Kaufman - Drums
The 8-Bit Jazz Heroes are one part jazz trio, one part video game nirvana - kinda like if Miles Davis spent more time playing Super Nintendo.
Featuring Adam Bellotto on the guitar, Robby Delosier on the upright bass and Michael Kaufman on the drums, the 8-Bit Jazz Heroes take classic video game themes and transform them into something completely new. Drawing from classic ‘60s cool jazz as well as funk, blues and hip-hop, the 8-Bit Jazz Heroes have an incredible sound that weaves multiple genres and game consoles all through the jazz idiom. Formed in 2016, they quickly made a name for themselves - they play in venues all over Southern California and in 2017 were named “Best Jazz Band in Orange County” by the OC Weekly.
The 8-Bit Jazz Heroes are signed to video game music label Overclocked Records and their first album, "Press Start" was released in November of 2017 to rave reviews.