When you hear your first Garaj Mahal note, leading into an innovative fusion of funky jazz with a tasty world music flare, all other thoughts leave your mind as the music takes you on an unforgettable voyage. Fans return to experience the band again and again because they know they will always hear something new and progressive from these four first-class musicians.

Garaj Mahal features guitar and sitar virtuoso Fareed Haque, world-renowned bass master and educator Kai Eckhardt, gospel-inspired funky jazz keyboardist Eric Levy, and genetically-funky Sean Rickman. Garaj Mahal combines a century of musical experience to create a sound that's always new, freshly infused with a wide spectrum of musical expression, and always smoking hot. Founding member and drummer Alan Hertz was responsible for the first several studio albums, and is likely to guest occasionally with the band despite leaving in 2008 to concentrate on his touring with Scott Henderson and other projects.

Touring extensively since their formation in 2000, Garaj Mahal continues to earn critical acclaim and a growing fanbase thanks to their ability to deliver serious "shut-up-and-listen" grooves while simultaneously bringing the dance floor alive. Their collective musical experience allows them to constantly push the envelope of composition and improvisation. Garaj Mahal's sound - a convergence of jazz-style improvisation, mystical Middle-Eastern atmospheres, and danceable American funk - attracts music lovers from all parts of the spectrum and creates a profoundly unique experience.

Each band member dedicates every drop of his education, history, and life-long passion for music to their audience every time they step on stage. The band member's virtuosity is no surprise when you look at even a few of the amazing artists they've performed and/or recorded with over the years, including Dizzy Gillespie, John McLaughlin, Sting, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Holland, Bela Fleck, Chick Corea, Steve Smith, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Les Claypool, Trey Anastasio, Umphrey's McGee, MMW, Steve Kimock, and Michael Manring. Garaj Mahal's current release and third studio album, wOOt, is the result of years spent honing their musical relationship on the road and is already accumulating rave reviews around the country.

Garaj Mahal is:

Fareed Haque
Guitar virtuoso and Blue Note recording artist Fareed Haque enjoys a career that spans the spectrum of musical styles.

Kai Eckhardt
Kai began to study the bass guitar at age 15 and went on to establish himself as a well known and respected musician in his area.

Eric Levy
Born in Chicago in 1974 to musician parents, Eric Levy was exposed to a variety of musical styles at an early age.

Sean Rickman
Sean Rickman, a native of Washington DC, is a self-taught singer, guitarist, bassist, and drummer.

Alan Hertz
"Possessing an incredible command of his instrument, Alan Hertz has an open-ended creativity and propensity for musical exploration that has made him one of the most sought-after dummers in the Bay Area music scene."