mental notes

MARINE FUTIN a la jeunesse de l'âge et la maturité du ton. Cette conscience inspirée, aux multiples influences, envoûte l'oreille par la douceur des mots et la rondeur des sons. Sa voix, sa plume sensible et poétique, font de son univers un endroit confortable où écouter.

La vie, observée en silence, donne corps à des expressions fortes en couleur intérieure, avec « D'en haut », et « Femme Fatale » ; et aussi plus légères, avec « L'alphabet ». Son « T'es belle !», lancé comme un cri, révèle la profondeur de la demoiselle. Chez elle, tout est ensemble : les textes et les mélodies naissent de cette volonté de proposer un jeu à la fois rythmique et sonore, entre le mot, le flow, et puis le son. Ses cris du cœur côtoient douceur et volupté. La puissance des mots choisis s'accorde à sa fragilité ; elle interpelle comme elle enveloppe.

Soutenue par les classes Musiques Actuelles du Conservatoire de Lyon, elle arpente les scènes de France et de Suisse tout au long de l'année 2009. Sélectionnée pour les Rencontres d'Astaffort en 2008, Médaille d'or de la Chanson à Saignelégier (Suisse) en 2009, Marine partage les scènes d'artistes tels que Bensé ou Emily Loizeau (Rencontres d'Astaffort).

Une envie l'anime : dire et partager. Durant l'été 2009, elle fixe, à l'instinct, de profondes sensations : un 5 titres est né. Son premier EP (MCO), se dit premier de série, empreint d'ambiances troublantes et captivantes, et sert un texte précis et poétique. On dit de cet EP qu'il est planant, atypique, étrange.

Leon Boykins strives to positively influence the public through music.

Born in Pittsburgh PA, Leon showed an interest in music at a young age.  His musical journey started on the piano, where he learned the basics of melody and harmony.  He then moved to the bass, which introduced him to the foundations of rhythm.  In high school, after performing with various regional high school jazz bands and all state orchestras, Leon decided to make music his career path. 

Upon graduating from Schenley High School, Leon enrolled in West Virginia University.  In the fall of 2005, he transfered to Temple University in Philadelphia, where he received a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance.  While living in Philadelphia, Leon quickly made a name for himself as both a performer and an educator.  He had the opportunity to share the stage with many musical greats, including pianist Orrin Evans, saxophonist Ben Schachter, trumpeter John Swana, trumpeter Terrel Stafford, drummer ?uestlove, and many more.  He also held various teaching positions, including the countries oldest community music school, the Settlement School of Music.   

Past awards include the Downbeat Student Music Award, Pittsburgh Jazz Society/Mellon Jazz Festival scholarship, and college scholarships from WVU, Temple and The Manhattan School of Music. 

Currently Leon lives in New York City, where he just received a masters degree in music performance from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.  Main focuses included jazz performance, classical bass technique, and composition.

Bass mentors have included: Harvie S, Jeremy McCoy, Larry Grenadier, Madison Rast, Mike Boone, Douglas Mapp, Dr. Andrew Kohn, Paul Thompson, Bill Howard and Dwayne Dolphin.  He would like to thank his friends, family, books, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York City for all the educational experiences that they have provided. 

PRESS

...three distinct meanings of "swing" emerge in Schachter's capable hands, with Leon Boykins displaying his brilliant and bouncing walking bass.   

               -all about jazz.com

Young Lion, Leon Boykins held his own and promises a solid future in the music arena.

            -philly jazz blog

There's also the pooled virtuosity of the ensemble...the mountainous bass tones of Leon Boykins.

            -philadelphia weekly

Jonathan Butler: Lies Ronny Jordan: Get to Grips

Former Original Member of Mental Notes

Faceless in the Machine!!!
The low end rhythmical equivalent to a Nazi Stopwatch, supplemented by the Sultry Castro Pulse, subjected to the Nordic Cross Rhythm.

Eran Asias
Born and raised in Israel . Moved to New York City in 2002.
some of the artists he Toured & recorded with : Julian Lennon , Patty Smyth & Scandal , Thalia , James Scott Cook ,GALA, J.Viewz, ,Derek James and many others.
Currently Endorsing Evans drum heads and Vater drum sticks .

Harold Davis Jr. a.k.a. FRO is a guitar player who likes variety. He incorporates jazz, rock, funk, blues and other elements into his playing. He began his own instrumental project aptly named FRO in 1995. He has released three self-produced albums: “On Your Mark, Get Set, FRO!,” “The Paisley Album” and “Surprise Music.”  His band has also  opened and/or appeared with such diverse national acts as Tower Of Power, Toots and the Maytals, Alex Skolnick of Testament and Screaming Headless Torsos.

Besides his own project, FRO currently works with New Zealand pop/r&b vocalist Anita Prime, hip-hop group Mental Notes, and instrumental groups Outhouse and Electric Red. He has previously worked with Dead Prez, Bazaar Royale, Coulon, Toni Blackman, Cheryl Englehardt, Etro Anime and many others.