MoZayic + Band in Toronto, ON

SEEKING

ABOUT

MoZayic is a four-piece Afro-Caribbean fusion band led by the drummer and lead vocalist, Zaynab Wilson. Since the band’s formation in early 2013, her goal was to create and outlet where she could share her original cross-cultured music, infusing the styles from the Trinidadian heritage with afro-centric rhythms and a hint of styles that inspired her in her earlier years. The project soon evolved and became a musical outlet for of the musicians in the band. Each member brings their own cultural and musical influences, and contributes to the project with their own compositions and their overall exceptional talent and versatility; This is what gives MoZayic its refreshingly original sound.

MoZayic is made up of four friends who staggered into each others lives while living in Toronto. Zaynab Wilson and Aaron Schwarz, both natives of Montréal, shared mutual friends and were introduced to each other while attending Humber College in Toronto, where they also met Hunter Blair. Gram Whitty, who attended York University and had mutual friends with Zaynab, was the newest member to the group and completed the band. ­­­­Despite being a quartet, MoZayic fills out the sound space of a larger band. Every band member doubles as vocalists, singing on tunes they each have written, but the core instrumentation is Zaynab on drums and percussion, Gram on electric and acoustic bass, Aaron on Guitar, and Hunter on saxophone, synthesizer and some percussion as well.

Over the years, MoZayic has performed at many well-known Toronto venues, including Baltic Avenue, The Central, The Horseshoe Tavern, College Street Bar, The Emmet Ray, Placebo Space, C'est What, The Cameron House and Poetry Jazz Café, to name a few. They have also taken their lively music to Ottawa and Montréal, playing at The rainbow and Les Bobards. The band works with important organizations such as the Shamba Foundation, and performs as the backline for other world artists including Shahid Ali Khan, Nadeem Ali and the vivacious Parag Ray. Since the start of 2015, MoZayic has been working on their upcoming full length album Pelopidas Rhythms, whose title was strongly influenced by one of Zaynab’s mentors, the great drummer Tony “Oulabula” Bazley, and his engagingly eccentric stories. The band plans to release a single by the end of April and the completed album soon thereafter. Until then, you can continue to groove to the previously released tracks, “Interconnected”, “Work & Play” and our videos, including the latest live version of “Abakua Blue”, through our website (www.mozayicmusic.com).

Screen name:

MoZayic

Member since:

May 14 2014

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years together:

2

Gigs played:

50 to 100

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Age:

36 years

Influences

Music from around the world
Esperanza Spalding
Robert Glasper

Members Of Band

Zaynab Wilson - Drums/Lead Vocals
Aaron Schwarz - Guitar/vocals
Gram Whitty - bass
Hunter Blair - Tenor Sax

EQUIPMENT

Drumset /Vocals
Bass / Amp
Sax / Keyboard
Guitar

MUSIC