BIO
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BIO
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Serving delicious grooves in Austin, TX since 2009! The three musically diverse musicians of The Organic Mechanics have for years been active in the local and national music scenes. Drawing inspiration from the Hammond organ trios of the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, The 'Mechanics engineer interesting arrangements of current and classic pop songs in addition to covering a wide variety of soul-jazz, blues, and funky favorites. A foundation of Hammond organ, electric hollow-body guitar, and drums supports a blues-based style of jazz that incorporates elements of R&B, Latin, Funk, and more. The OM’s also present original music composed by all three members of the band. Tastefully, The OMs are leading the soul revival in a new and exciting direction! |
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Nick Litterski
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Keyboardist/composer Nicholas Litterski has a background in classical music, which he studied from the age of seven, clear through undergraduate studies at North Central College and in the Master’s piano program at the University of Texas at Austin. It was at UT in the early 2000’s that he realized a long-held ambition to play in a freer style, with help through studies with jazz pianist Jeff Hellmer. Litterski toured from 2004-2005 with the band Collect All Five, visiting 23 of these United States playing over 200 shows in one year. Since then he has worked at home and abroad with many musical collaborators and band leaders, most recently Charlie Robison, Akina Adderley, Clay McClinton, O+Positivo, and many others, honing his earthy, roots-y approach to keyboard playing. Litterski’s playing style has been influenced by Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith, Dr. John, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, and many others. On any given night he can be found playing or practicing Jazz, Honky-tonk, Salsa, Latin-jazz, Blues, Rock, Funk, R’nB, Reggae, or Texas red-dirt music. When he is not playing music, Litterski keeps busy as the owner/operator of Austin Piano Tex, a full-service piano tuning and repair business. He lives in Austin with his dog Django. |
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Mark Poitras
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| Based in Austin, Texas since 2002, guitarist/composer/instrumentalist Mark Poitras has performed with multiple acts throughout the United States. Poitras has performed with a wide range of performers including Elizabeth Wills, Terri Hendrix, Llyod Maines, Susan Gibson, Shelley King, Topaz, Ephraim Owens, Guy Forsyth, Astronautalis & Big Sam. Past festivals that Poitras has performed at include Austin City Limits Music Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, SXSW, Fry Street Fair and the Ten Acre Jam. With a passion for many different sounds, Poitras has taken on multiple instruments with several groups that encompass a wide range of styles ranging from funk, jazz, blues, rock, latin, folk, reggae, dub, country, pop, soul, electronica, experimental and hip-hop. From 2003 to 2006 Poitras toured the country playing vibes, guitar, and percussion with the genre-splicing instrumental group Collect All Five. From 2008-2009 he toured with Singer/Songwriter Elizabeth Wills. Currently Poitras composes and produces music for his sound production company MP Soundraft, which specializes in producing music for film, TV and other forms of media. |
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Aaron Lack
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Percussionist and drummer Aaron Lack has performed concerts throughout North America and Europe and has been living and performing in the Austin, Texas area since 2000. Lack has shared the concert stage with jazz greats such as Benny Green, Roy Haynes, Chuck Israels, Alex Acuna, David Friedman, David Samuels, Ndugu Chancelor, Terry Gibbs, Ken "Professor" Philmore, and Andy Narrell as well as James Brown drumming legends Jabo Starks, and Clyde Stubblefield. Lack has performed on vibraphone, drums, steeldrum, congas and other percussion instruments with Robben Ford, John Primer, The Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, The Ernie Durawa Trio, The David Palmer Quartet, The Brannen Temple Quartet, John Fremgen, Donna High Tower, AIME, Earl "Pool" Ball, The Midland(MI) Symphony Orchestra, The Golden Arm Trio, Michael Shay, The Drew Smith Band, The Invincible Czars, The Stingers ATX, Los Jazz Vatos, and many more. Lack's jazz festival appearances include the Montreaux/Detroit Jazz Festival, The Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, The Grand Rapids Arts Festival, the Austin Jazz Festival, The Texas Jazz Festival, The San Antonio Jazz Festival, and the University of Texas Jazz Festival. Lack is currently performing in the Austin area with Aaron Lack's Vibetet, The Aaron Lack Steelpan Ensemble, The Monstas, Matt Smith's World, and in many other settings, encompassing a broad range of musical styles. |
