PRESS REVIEWS:
MTV: In the late summer of 2010 Aivar was featured on MTV's website along with this statement about the band:
“Relax and unwind with Aivar, and their smooth, reggae-inspired NorCal jams.” -MTV; 7/14/10 5:39 pm ET
METRO MAGAZINE SILICON VALLEY: Topping the “Best Local Band” charts in Metro Magazine for the 3 consecutive years, Aivar has undoubtedly begun to make their name and reputation known in the scene.
“Fronted by Chris Reed and featuring a powerhouse lineup heavily steeped in talent and dub-funk aesthetic, Aivar pulls influences from across the musical spectrum to form a sound that could get a kick-ass party going at a retirement home without the need for pharmaceutical aids.” -Metro Magazine Silicon Valley, 9/24-30/08
BIOGRAPHY:
Aivar’s reggae foundation fluidly blends rock, pop, and many other styles of music together to create the positively charged unique sound that can be found in their original titles such as “17”, “Fly Away”, “Lost in Love”, and “Music Train.” From their uplifting lyrics, optimistic attitude, and unyielding professionalism, Aivar brings a message of peace to the stage and delivers a high-energy performance that is suitable for all ages. This 6-piece band consists of guitar, bass, drums, auxiliary hand percussion, keyboards, the occasional ukulele and horns, and lots of vocals.
Formed in 2006, Aivar got their unusual name from a delicious Mediterranean vegetable spread by the name of Ajvar. Much like their style of music, the subtle flavors of Croatian spice, Latin chilis, and Mediterranean sweetness mixed together create a delicious blend of savory perfection. Although the band loved the delicious spread, they didn't want to be associated directly with the Ajvar brand; so they dropped the "J", replaced it with an "I" and AIVAR was born.
Years later, Aivar has earned respect and recognition from performing with top grossing acts such as Collie Buddz, The Dirty Heads, Eek-A-Mouse, The English Beat, Fishbone, The Supervillains, Sashamon, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, The Mystic Roots Band, Iration, The Wailing Souls, Booker T, Lyrics Born, The Mumlers, The Holdup, Still Time, Passafire, and Tribal Seeds to name a few.
In the fall of 2010 Aivar released their sophomore project, the EP; STEADY RISING. Tracks from this EP will be featured at the 2011 Miami Fashion Week compliments of MTV. This is Aivar’s second independent album with their first self-titled album having been released in August of 2009. The self-titled album turned heads in California and graced Aivar with the honor of performing on The 2009 Vans Warped Tour on the Ernie Ball Stage at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Other major acts present on the tour were bands such as Anti-Flag, Bad Religion, Flogging Molly, Less than Jake, NOFX, and Thrice. In between their first and second albums, Aivar recorded the single “17” with Scott Llamas of Pop Smear Studios. Silverback Records representing Slightly Stoopid commented on the song’s fresh & original sound as being one of the best cross-genre tunes they have ever heard. “Steady Rising”, “17”, & “Aivar” are all available on major online distributors such as iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby.
Aivar is truly a world band. With a mix of American, Latin, Asian, and European ethnic and cultural backgrounds, Aivar collectively speaks five different languages (not including the languages of music, love, and respect). A few very talented individuals that have previously contributed towards Aivar’s success and sound are Drummer Brandon Centeio, Guitarist Nick Santana, Drummer Josh Gardner, Keyboardist Steve Murr, Assistant Manager Clev Stiles, Assistant Manager RJ Coons, and many more Aivar friends and family.
OUR COMMUNITY:
Another noticeable aspect to the band’s activities is their performances at countless private and public festivals in the Bay Area. The band members assisted, coordinated, and performed in San Jose’s first two Left Coast Live Festivals, an event which had greater success in its first year than the famous South by Southwest Festival.
As opportunities have come up for Aivar, they have made it a point to always give back to the community, whether it is raising money to send to Haiti or buying instruments for local schools. Each member of Aivar feels it is extremely necessary to give back. This is why they all teach local kids how to play music in schools, at juvenile centers, at open-mics, and with private lessons. With focus, purpose, and drive, the boys are looking towards the future so keep your eyes and ears open for more from Aivar in 2011 and thereafter.
CHRIS REED
Chris (lead singer) formed the band in 2006 and later brought in Jacques and Matt. The trio went through several members before solidifying its current powerhouse lineup thanks to Chris’ perseverance, musical vision, and co-management. Chris is a band director at public and private schools in the Bay Area, an active charity and event organizer, and at night you may find him performing acoustic folk/reggae songs at local venues. If you are lucky you might even catch him on the tenor saxophone, harmonica, ukulele, or guitar as well.
JACQUES BICKETT-BELET
Jacques (bassist), prior to joining Aivar in 2007, has performed with many Bay Area bands rocking styles such as reggae, funk, ska, punk, hip-hop, pop, latin, metal, blues, and more. During the day he co-manages the band and teaches private music lessons on the guitar, bass, saxophone, or on composition. In 2007 he studied and performed at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA. Jacques introduced Kosuke and Joshua into the band after he had performed with them in a Latin-Jazz Afro-Cuban ensemble while earning his Bachelors degree at San Jose State University in 2008.
MATT GONZALES
Matt (guitarist and lead singer) first joined the group in 2008 as the band’s keyboardist. He is not only a guitar instructor on the side, but is also known for being one of the “go-to” sound engineers in San Jose. Whether on the guitar, the keyboard, or the microphone, you can feel the talent and skill when he steps on stage. Additionally, Matt is on multiple boards for local organizations and festival committees. In 2009 Aivar almost lost Matt to an automobile accident where a drunk driver struck his car at over a hundred miles an hour on the freeway leaving him with a shattered shoulder and a lung in critical condition. With music and determination in his veins he hit the stage a week later.
HARRY RABAGO RILI JR.
Harry (keyboardist) is a musician that has done everything from weddings, to club gigs, to house parties. His styles are all across the board, consisting of salsa, pop, dance, freestyle, rock, and now reggae. Harry’s talents transcend beyond the keys to the guitar, ukulele, and probably the most valuable of all, the mixing board and technical aspects of all the gear. A jack-of-all-trades, Harry is truly a valuable new member to the group as of late 2010. Some years back you may have even seen him DJ’ing with the famous Rocky Rock.
JOSHUA ALFARO
Joshua (drummer) joined Aivar in late 2010 and has performed both percussion instruments and the drumset for a wide variety of ensembles ranging from classical and latin-jazz groups, to rock, pop, and funk bands. He has a strong foundation in rudimental drumming that he incorporates when he teaches music. This exposure started during his drumline days in high school up through his years in Drum and Bugle Corps and college marching band. A truly talented and diverse rhythmic player, he thrives for incorporating intricate and active drum lines with a reggae-dance backbone and amazing vocal harmonies on top.
KOSUKE OKAMURA
Kosuke (percussionist) is a dynamic asset to the team because he can just as easily switch to the drumset if need be. Be it on the Bongos, the Congas, the drumset, classical percussion, or other various hand-percussion, you will always notice his amazing energy and enthusiasm. Perhaps that’s what landed him a gig performing with Keith Urban. He has also performed with, and taken percussion lessons from, Grammy nominated Latin Trombonist Wayne Wallace alongside fellow Aivar members Joshua and Jacques. Kosuke joined Aivar in late 2010 and plans to teach music one day upon graduating from San Jose State University.
