Band Members
Tal Shalom-Kobi is the founder, musical director and co-leader of the quartet. Tal graduated from Berklee College of Music with Bachelor in Music Education and was awarded the academic achievement award by both Berklee's Music Education Department and the Bass Department. Tal attended the New England Conservatory and graduated with a Masters in Jazz Performance. Tal has been an active music teacher in the Newton area for the past 5 years. Her method of teaching emphasizes the development of creativity, self-expression and musical growth. As a music educator, Tal promotes these concepts in all of her classes, which include "Music Appreciation" for young children, piano/joint piano lessons, and youth ensembles. Tal's main instrument is the Acoustic Bass, an instrument she is playing and performing with local Latin, and Jazz bands.
Tami Machnai, the quartet's co-leader, graduate from Berklee College of music. She has over 10 years of performing experience, specializing in various musical styles around the world. For the past three years she's been also teaching music and movement in kindergarten and pre-schools in the Boston area. Currently Tami is working towards her Masters degree in contemporary improvisation and composition at the New England Conservatory. Tami has a broad experience in writing and performing Jazz, old Sephardic/Jewish, Middle-Eastern, Israeli, and world music. She is well known and endeared in the Boston Jewish Community and performs regularly in different congregations such as MISHKAN TEFILA and in various events of the Israeli consulate, the Jewish National Fund (JNF), The Zionist House and many others.
Drummer Martin Bernert is a professional musician and educator in Boston since 1994. Awarded "Teacher of the Year" by the National Music Workshop in 2000. Martin graduated Berklee College of Music, Magna Cum Laude. Currently he is giving drum lessons in the Boston area as well as performing as a member of the soca/reggae band PanNeubean Steel, the latin jazz flavored Camelia Group, and the Sweepers, a multi-media art music ensemble. Past music tours have taken him to Europe, Asia, The US and Canada with a variety of groups, performing jazz, fusion, afro-pop, and rock.
Kevin Harris, is a native Kentuckian, having recently graduated from the New England Conservatory, earning his Masters degree in Jazz Piano Performance. Kevin has studied and performed with renowned musicians such as Cecil McBee, Fred Hersch and Danilo Perez. Kevin also holds a music education degree from Morehead State. He has been teaching in the public schools, private after school community centers, and giving individual piano and instrumental lessons. Currently living in Boston he teaches Jazz improvisation, piano labs, and band at the Boston Arts Academy, Mission hill Elementary school and Young Achievers School of Science and Math. Kevin has been selected by the Mayor of New Orleans to play in the educational form. He also performs in the New England Area, the Upside down club in LA, and Master Card Talents Act in Philadelphia.