Bryan Zive and Kol Echad - Making Jewish Music Stronger

Bryan Zive: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Keyboard Bryan Zive brings a unique style to the Reform Jewish movement and is one of it's active composers, educators and entertainers. He has performed in various synagogues, camp institutes, Jewish Community Centers and Hillels around the world. Bryan's main goal is to combine people's love for music and Judaism to form an incredible spiritual and educational foundation. He uses music to set the mood for adults and children alike by merging traditional liturgy, Jewish themes and modern contemporary music to help them become more connected with their Jewish identities. His music has been compared to that of James Taylor, Ben Folds, Guster and The Fray. Bryan began performing and leading prayer services in 2003 and has since played in such cities as Los Angeles, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, St. Louis, MO, Indianapolis, IN, Jerusalem, Israel and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has also opened for the Rick Recht Band and has played with other Jewish musicians such as Dan Nichols, Mah Tovu, Danny Maseng and Rabbi Joe Black. In addition, Bryan has been head songleader and music director at URJ Camp Swig-Newman and Goldman Union Camp Institute. Produced by Josh Nelson, Bryan and Kol Echad have released their first full length in-studio album titled "It's No Dream", which was released in March 2008 to rave reviews by clergy, educators, songleaders and community members. The album features popular tracks such as "Hareiu", "Rock and Redeemer", and "V'al Kulam". It is available for purchase on our website (www.bryanzive.com), SoundsWrite/URJ Press, CD Baby and iTunes. "Rock and Redeemer" is included on URJ Transcontinental Music's Ruach 5769 album. Bryan and Kol Echad are scheduled to release their second album, "Follow in My Footsteps", produced by Scott Leader, in October 2010. Bryan graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Jewish Studies and Ethnomusicology. He is the current full-time Cantorial Soloist/Music Director of Temple Sinai in Denver, Colorado, and has previously consulted with other synagogues, camps and Hillels to help create and develop their contemporary Jewish music curricula. With his love for Judaism and music, and his extreme desire to make contemporary Jewish music mainstream across Jewish communities throughout North America, Bryan and Kol Echad will continue to promote not just their music, but all Jewish music throughout the year in order to truly make a difference! He looks forward to singing, learning and making music in your community soon! Feel free to contact Bryan directly at bryan@bryanzive.com
Jason Ruby: Drums, Percussion, Guitar and Vocals Jason Ruby is a guitarist and drummer who enjoys creating and performing original music with a variety of bands, whether that be in an intimate setting or in front of hundreds of sweaty and rambunctious audience members. He recently recorded a full length album with the punk band he drums for, Tone Deficit, which plays throughout the Denver Metro scene and occasionally in the punk rock town of Casper, WY. Other current projects Jason is involved with include Abajian, an acoustic-electric progressive rock band, and a guitar-based project that draws influence from some his favorite genres: metal, jazz, rock, punk, avant-garde, blues, and klezmer. In addition to playing music, Jason enjoys teaching guitar and drum lessons, as well as his other main means of creative expression: practicing architecture. With Kol Echad, Jason is excited to play for a different audience, which may be slightly less rambunctious, but no less spirited. You can reach Jason via email at jason@bryanzive.com.
Mike Smith: Keyboards and Guitars Mike Smith is a "jack of all trades" musician and brings just that to Kol Echad. He plays and teach piano, guitar, bass, and voice in and around Denver, CO. Mikey currently leads two bands; the Mikey Smith Trio,featuring classic and modern jazz, with a fresh, contemporary twist, as well as The Denver Street Jazz Team, which specializes in high energy, horn-driven New Orleans-style traditional jazz. In addition to Kol Echad, Mike plays with a couple of other groups in the Rocky Mountain region, including The Claimjumpers (Dixie/Swing Jazz), The Ryan Elwood Quartet (Hip, modern jazz), Bionik Brown (New Orleans Hip-Hop), and the Post Meridian Jazz Sextet. You can e-email Mikey at Mike@BryanZive.com
Josh Mills: Lead Bass and Vocals Born and raised in Illinois, Josh Mills is the youngest of a family of exceptional musicians. Classically trained on many instruments, Josh brings and instinctive musicality to playing electric and acoustic bass. By the age of 12, Josh had seen many stages touring Illinois with his family's band. It was at age 18 that Josh decided to focus on playing bass and quickly developed into a local force on the bass guitar. In his early to mid twenties, Josh played for a Chicago based rock band called KSG and toured all over the midwest, sharing the stage with such bands such as Better than Ezra, Pomeroy, Cowboy Mouth , Bottle of Justus, and MER. Josh has rescently moved to Denver, Colorado in the interest of advancing his musical career, and is heavily involved in it's exciting music scene. Josh is excited to work with Bryan and Matt and looks forward to making great music with Kol Echad. You can reach Josh via email at Josh@BryanZive.com.