• Genre :: Jazz
• Listen :: Herzog
• View :: Band Website | Nick Demopoulos' Blog | Photos from Bahrain
• download :: HiRes Image

Exegesis bases its music in the belief that symbols, scientific thought, astronomical ideas, numerical ratios and conceptual art and architecture can be expressed in sound. The group seeks to bridge the gap between modern music technology and improvisation, using live samplers and interactive music software to create the sonic illusion that there are more than four musicians performing. In 2002, Exegesis released their debut album, The Order of Chaos.

David Cook (Piano) is a well-rounded musician with experience in multiple genres. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a jazz performance degree (studying with the likes of Gerald Cleaver, Ellen Rowe and Donald Walden), Cook toured for several years the multi-platinum selling group *NSYNC. After moving to New York, Cook studied privately with Bruce Barth, Fred Hersch and Kenny Werner. He plays regularly in bands led by tenor player Bob Reynolds and bassist Michael Blanco. Cook has also written, arranged, performed and recorded with artists ranging from Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson to rising stars such as Billy Porter and Shayna Steele.

Michael Blanco (Bass) is a two-time recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award (2005, 2006) and recently released his debut album, In the Morning, which includes his winning compositions. In addition to his ASCAP awards, Blanco was a finalist in the International Society of Bassists jazz bass competition in 2003. Over the past seven years, Blanco has been involved in a wide variety of musical projects, including bands led by Doug Wamble, Bob Reynolds and John Chin, among others. In 2001, Blanco toured South America, Central America and the Caribbean under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State. He regularly performs at New York City venues including Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Makor, and Barbés.

Nick Demopoulos (Guitar) has performed and created music in a wide variety of jazz styles. He has appeared in clubs and festivals throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and the United States, as well as in concerts sponsored by the American Jazz Symposium. Demopoulos composed and performed in the musical Rhymes with Adventure (selected as one of the best theater pieces of the 1999-2000 season by The Village Voice) and the production I, Medusa in 2000. He has also composed music for advertising campaigns for Motorola, Estee Lauder, feature films, documentaries and internet outlets.

Tomas Fujiwara (Drums), a Boston native, spent eight years under the tutelage of legendary drummer and educator Alan Dawson before moving to New York in 1994. He has toured the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Korea and Japan as a cast member of the Off-Broadway hit STOMP and has performed with artists such as Makanda Ken McIntyre, David Murray and Vernon Reid. Fujiwara can be heard on over a dozen recordings to date and is active as a teacher, clinician, composer (for theater and dance) and accompanist.