Berkana | ms

There are two Berkana bands:

1) German Neo-folk with neo-classical and medieval elements


2) BERKANA is the latest incarnation of NAT JANOFF GROUPS featuring jazz/fusion guitarist Nat Janoff, Rave Tesar (of prog rocker Annie Haslam's Rennaisance group) on keys and left-hand bass, and one of NYC's underground favorites on drums, Ray LeVier (of the KJ Denhert band). Compared to Shawn Lane, Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe's group as well as Scofield and Aquarium Rescue Unit, BERKANA jams and grooves at their packed live shows. Check out BERKANA's debut self-titled CD was released in April 2005.

RAVE TESAR Founding member of jazz/fusion group, Avenues, Rave Tesar may be best known for his performances with Annie Haslam's Renaissance. A prolific composer, Mr. Tesar has licenced his work to many commercial applications. He has performed and contributed to the ongoing PBS series, "Exploring the World of Music." A resident of New Jersey, Mr. Tesar is the owner of Studio X Recording Studio. A multi-talented keyboardist whose career has spanned many years and styles of music, Rave is currently focusing on the jazz funk/fusion trio, Berkana.

RAY LeVIER In addition to being a member of Berkana, Ray LeVier is the featured drummer of the KJ Denhert Band, a NYC based urban folk/jazz group that has been a staple of NYC's 55 Bar's performance roster. Mr. LeVier has performed with jazz guitarists Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Alex Skolnick and fusion violinist Joe Deninzon. Residing in Nyack, NY, Ray teaches private lessons when he's not performing.

NAT JANOFF In addition to his recording with Berkana, jazz/fusion guitarist Nat Janoff has released two other CD's with other groups. The first was a trio album entitled, "Looking Through" and featured Matt Garrison on bass and Gene Lake on drums. The second CD took Nat in a completely different direction - he got together with fellow guitarist, Jake Schwartz (of NYC's band Van Davis) and unplugged recording "Nat Janoff & Jake Schwartz-Live." Mr. Janoff also can be heard on pop star Debela Morgan's album, "Dance With Me." When not performing, Nat Janoff teaches private lessons and is currently writing a guitar method book. .