A New Kind Of Progressive Music:

Music That Defies Assumptions And Recreates Expectations

"Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, and Al DiMeola are all names that come to mind when listening to Boston's Ra Quintet. Lead by Brant Grieshaber, the Ra Quintet blend fusion fretboard frenetics with electrifying vibraphone, simmering bass lines, and progressive timekeeping to create a truly inventive sound." -Brian Owens (Metronome Magazine)

Ra Quintet, signed to Bennett Alliance Records, is fundamentally an instrumental rock group that is constantly exploring the jazz and classical roots of its members. The compositions blend dense couterpoint, rich harmonies, and striking melodies with firey improvisation and a solid progressive rock groove. The instrumentation by itself is enough to raise eyebrows - two guitars, vibraphone, upright bass, and drums.

Brant Grieshaber - guitars, composer

		Perhaps most known for his stylistic breadth and for playing the guitar as though it were a different instrument, Brant Grieshaber has shared the stage with jazz giants such as Bill Frisell (Grammy nominee), James Carter, and Charlie Hunter. ("Wow, let me see your hands!" said Mr. Frisell after hearing him perform.) Brant plays all over New England, from the Maine Music Society to the Beantown Swing Orchestra, from Johnny D’s to The Good Life, and with faculty from the Berklee College of Music. Brant is proud to endorse Godin Guitars and JazzKat Amplifiers. He also teaches guitar and composition at his studio in Boston, where students come literally from across the globe to explore the fingerboard. He published "The Guitarist's Ultimate Survival Guide" in 2007. Learn Guitar Books Boston Guitar Lessons At the age of 8, Brant began classical and ragtime piano, studying with Bates College professor Dr. Marion Anderson. At 13, Brant took up jazz and rock guitar. He earned his BA at Berklee College of Music, studying with Garrison Feuel and Bret Wilmott. At the Boston Conservatory, he did graduate studies in classical composition with Osvaldo Golijov. He has also studied guitar with Frank Gambale.

Brendan Burns - guitars

		Brendan is the newest member of Ra Quintet and is pleased to join the crew on classical & electric guitar. Over the past 15 years he has been up & down New England as a Solo Guitarist playing countless weddings & private parties. He is a staple of the greater Boston music education world and is co-chair of the Guitar Department at Brookline Music School. He proudly endorses Godin Guitars and the double-long espresso.

Rich Greenblatt - vibes

		Rich Greenblatt is a musician with "dazzling speed and a truly magical touch" writes John Blenn in Good Times magazine. Rich has played in jazz and blues festivals in the U.S. and Europe and recorded with The Jazz Composers' Alliance, Hide Tokunaga, The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, The Paramount Brass Quintet, and the rhythm and blues group, Inspector Tuppence. Over the years he has played with such great artists as Billy Mitchell, Kevin Hayes, Valery Ponamarev, Bill Charlap, Greg Hutchinson, Dennis Irwin, Winard Harper, Joe Hunt and Teddy Charles, just to name a few. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music. Rich is pleased to endorse Vic Firth Mallets.

Jason Davis - upright bass

		Jason is an amazing bass player who is working very hard on updating his bio.

Rick Landwehr - drums

		Drummer Rick Landwehr brings incredible grooves and rhythmic counterpoint to the Ra Quintet. He's shared the stage with such musicians as Bill Frisell and Vernon Reid of Living Color. Like Brant and Rich, he is also a prominent educator in New England, having spent several summers at the National Guitar Summer Workshop. Rick proudly endorses Vic Firth products.

John Servo - upright bass

		John Servo recently performed with shred-guitar legend Greg Howe and Guitarist / Producer Tim Bradshaw (David Grey). He has had the pleasure of performing, and recording with some of Boston's premier artists/musicians: Daniel Bennett Group, JK & The Servomatics, The Boston Jazz Quartet, Phil Ayoub, Colin Stack, The Kode, Driving Blind and The Elbow Room.

News Flash!!

Ra Quintet's first full-length CD, titled "Ra Quintet" is available through Bennett Alliance Records and CD Baby.

Recent Press:

Metronome Magazine reviews
"In The Beginning"

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