Album Notes

Berkana is the latest incarnation of Nat Janoff Groups featuring Rave Tesar on keyboards and left-hand bass and Ray LeVier on drums. This power trio churns out blazing jazz/funk originals and breaks the mold with their adaptations of jazz jandards. What can Nat Janoff fans expect from Berkana? Screaming hot jazz funk by three players at the top of their game. Bass players throughout the tri-state area have been known to weep openly when they hear how great Rave plays not only keys but left-hand bass. Ray LeVier is a man possessed on drums and Nat, he is the insidious leader of the pack, charming you one minute, steamrolling you with his fiery licks the next.

RAVE TESAR Founding member of jazz/fusion group, Avenues, Rave Tesar may be best known for his performances with Annie Haslam's Renaissance. A prolific composer, Mr. Tesar has licenced his work to many commercial applications. He has performed and contributed to the ongoing PBS series, "Exploring the World of Music." A resident of New Jersey, Mr. Tesar is the owner of Studio X Recording Studio. A multi-talented keyboardist whose career has spanned many years and styles of music, Rave is currently focusing on the jazz funk/fusion trio, Berkana.

RAY LeVIER In addition to being a member of Berkana, Ray LeVier is the featured drummer of the KJ Denhert Band, a NYC based urban folk/jazz group that has been a staple of NYC's 55 Bar's performance roster. Mr. LeVier has performed with jazz guitarists Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Alex Skolnick and fusion violinist Joe Deninzon. Residing in Nyack, NY, Ray teaches private lessons when he's not performing.

NAT JANOFF In addition to his recording with Berkana, jazz/fusion guitarist Nat Janoff has released two other CD's with other groups. The first was a trio album entitled, "Looking Through" and featured Matt Garrison on bass and Gene Lake on drums. The second CD took Nat in a completely different direction - he got together with fellow guitarist, Jake Schwartz (of NYC's band Van Davis) and unplugged recording "Nat Janoff & Jake Schwartz-Live." Mr. Janoff also can be heard on pop star Debela Morgan's album, "Dance With Me." When not performing, Nat Janoff teaches private lessons and is currently writing a guitar method book.