HAZMAT MODINE has toured the world for over fifteen years.
From Borneo to British Columbia, China to India, Brazil to New Zealand; throughout Europe and into Siberia. The band distills American music into an essence from its myriad forms: Blues, Country, R & B, Rock-n-Roll, Jazz, Gospel, World Music, Soul, Roots... Yet it adds to this mixture something raw and mysterious that feels at once familiar and new.
Wade Schuman
Diatonic Harmonica, Lute Guitar, Guitar, Lead Vocals
Playing the harmonica since the age of ten, Wade is an accomplished master in the early Blues and musical styles of the 1920's and 30's. He grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan which has long had a vital and interesting musical scene, and currently resides and works in New York City. He draws musical inspiration from among others: Desmond Dekker, Jaybird Coleman, Sidney Bechet, Taraf De Haidouks and Slim Gaillard. Recording credits include Joan Osborn's "Relish" which was nominated for four Grammys.
Joseph Daley
Tuba
Joseph is a native of New York and perhaps this country's most consistent and creative "Lower Brass Specialist". Among others he has played with Sam Rivers, Carla Bley, Taj Mahal, Charlie Haden, Gil Evans, Lionel Hampton, Howard Johnson, Dave Douglas, and Muhal Richard Abrams. He appears on well over a dozen recordings.
Pamela Fleming
Trumpet, Flugelhorn
NYC trumpet player and composer Pam Fleming is the leader of original world jazz group Fearless Dreamer. Pam is best known for her work with Lilith Fair artists Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls; Reggae stars Burning Spear, Dennis Brown and Maxi Priest; and Klezmer groups Metropolitan Klezmer and Isle of Klezbos.
Steve Elson
Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Duduk, Flute
As a teenager, saxophonist Steve Elson toured with the legendary Johnny Otis Rhythm and Blues Revue, featuring Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Shuggie Otis and the Three Tons of Joy.He has gone on to play in a wide variety of settings including world tours with David Bowie, film soundtracks for Philip Glass, several hundred pop, jazz, klezmer, R&B and new music recordings. Elson has been a recipient of numerous composition grants and fellowships from the NEA, NYFA and Mary Cary Flagler. among others. He leads his group Steve Elson's Lips and Fingers Ensemble.
Reut Regev
Trombone, Flugabone, Slide Trumpet
Reut Regev was born and raised in Israel. Since arriving at NYC in 1998 Reut has taken part in various musical projects, playing Jazz, Latin music, Improvised and Contemporary Classical, Klezmer, Blues, Rock, and more. She has worked with Anthony Braxton, Butch Morris, Frank London Klezmer All-stars, Firewater and Grupo Irek among many others. Her debut recording as a leader, This is R Time, is scheduled to be released Jan 2009 on Ropeadope Records.
Erik Della Penna
Guitar, Banjitar, Vocals
Erik is a songwriter and guitarist living in New York City. He studied western classical music at The Mannes College of Music. After graduation he spent years preforming around the Northeast in ensembles informed by American roots music traditions. Erik then went on to write, record and tour extensively with artists such as Joan Baez, Natalie Merchant, Joan Osborne and David Yazbek. Erik has written music for A&E television, The New York Historical Society, as well as dozens of documentary films. His guitar and drum duo, Kill Henry Sugar, is currently in the process of recording their seventh collection of original songs. In addition, Erik is working on two musicals now in development, one in Chicago and one in New York City.