Friendy
friendyband.wixsite.com/websiteFriendy are a New York City-based, Jerusalem-bred band, signed under GSI Records. Led by drummer, Eric Harland, Friendy is an anime jazz band. Their music fuses supercharged rock with contemporary jazz while drawing inspiration from animated Japanese TV shows and films. In 2021, the band released its debut album, Friendy Fire.
Friendy’s members have played together since 2008 during which time they have created unique compositional and improvisational styles inspired by Shostakovich, Allan Holdsworth and the melodicism in anime opening sequences (OPs). Each band member’s style and approach add a different dimension to Friendy’s music. Zohar Amar has a passionate and rhythmic approach to the horn that is influenced by African rhythms such as Gnawa. Noam Borns has a charismatic and defined style. He blends emotional melodicism with detailed and complex lines and textures inspired by Paul Bley, Aaron Parks, and Lennie Tristano. Daniel Ashkenazy’s playing is imaginative with a story-like quality. He works to push the boundaries and conventions on how to approach harmony, rhythm, and form on the bass. Shai Yuval is a dynamic and wholesome musician who brings a compositional approach to the drums that compliments and guides the music. As a composer, drummer, and a person, he is the voice of reason that ties the music together.
Friendy’s members have played with musicians Kenny Garrett, Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Dave Douglas, Alex Sipiagin, Andy Mckee, Jonathan Finlayson, and more. They have also performed in venues and festivals in the U.S., Europe, and Israel. Friendy has also been featured as the cover on YouTube Music's Jazz Impressions playlist.
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