Michael Bellar & the AS-IS Ensemble

Michael Bellar’s self-produced album is every bit as fun and quirky as its song titles imply. For joyfully proving himself to be a playful keyboard polymath, Michael Bellar is Keyboard Magazine’s Unsigned Artist of the Month. 
- KEYBOARD MAGAZINE

Michael Bellar’s self-produced album is every bit as fun and quirky as its song titles imply. For joyfully proving himself to be a playful keyboard polymath, Michael Bellar is Keyboard Magazine’s Unsigned Artist of the Month. 
- KEYBOARD MAGAZINE

“Spontaneity, spirit and surprise” - “bewitching and often exotic”
- Winston-Salem Journal

“Spontaneity, spirit and surprise” - “bewitching and often exotic”
- Winston-Salem Journal

"Keyboardist Michael Bellar gives the piano a voice all its own...."  - Flagpole Magazine

"Keyboardist Michael Bellar gives the piano a voice all its own...."  - Flagpole Magazine

The AS-IS Ensemble has been turning heads and blowing minds across the country. - Vermont 7 Days

The AS-IS Ensemble has been turning heads and blowing minds across the country. - Vermont 7 Days

Holy sh_t! This is amazing! - WIDR (Kalamazoo, MI)

Holy sh_t! This is amazing! - WIDR (Kalamazoo, MI)

“GENERATION NEXT... Close your eyes, and you can (almost) imagine them playing an outdoor festival for tie-dye kids one day and a New York jazz club the next.” Steve Graybow, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE - BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

“GENERATION NEXT... Close your eyes, and you can (almost) imagine them playing an outdoor festival for tie-dye kids one day and a New York jazz club the next.” Steve Graybow, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE - BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

“And now for something completely different. A deeply funky new album...." - The Charleston City Paper

“And now for something completely different. A deeply funky new album...." - The Charleston City Paper

“And now for something completely different. A deeply funky new album...." - The Charleston City Paper

“And now for something completely different. A deeply funky new album...." - The Charleston City Paper

"This renegade trio led by keyboardist and sonic explorer Michael Bellar blends pop, rock, funk, jazz and world music elements into a provocative brew on this spirited alt-jazz outing. Fans of Medeski Martin & Wood and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey will dig this."
- Jazz Times

"This renegade trio led by keyboardist and sonic explorer Michael Bellar blends pop, rock, funk, jazz and world music elements into a provocative brew on this spirited alt-jazz outing. Fans of Medeski Martin & Wood and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey will dig this."
- Jazz Times

“Their swing is pop savvy, their mainstream is avant flecked, and their whimsy has an earnest base.” “It takes chutzpah - this electrocoustic quintet has as much ambition as it does chops.” Jim Macnie, THE VILLAGE VOICE - THE VILLAGE VOICE

“Their swing is pop savvy, their mainstream is avant flecked, and their whimsy has an earnest base.” “It takes chutzpah - this electrocoustic quintet has as much ambition as it does chops.” Jim Macnie, THE VILLAGE VOICE - THE VILLAGE VOICE

Michael Bellar/the AS-IS Ensemble – Like It Is

Sporting track names like “Big ‘ole Yummy” and “The Gringo Shake,” Michael Bellar’s self-produced album is every bit as fun and quirky as its song titles imply. Using everything from acoustic piano to accordion and Wurly to pump organ, Michael creates energetic, multi-layered compositions that hold together despite their plentiful sonic variations. Funky grooves and creative percussion pervade and help accent Michael’s significant chops. Thanks to his wah’d out Wurly work, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is a delicate and wistful treat and framed by strong piano playing, “Tango Esperanza” is a highly-danceable accordion showcase. For joyfully proving himself to be a playful keyboard polymath, Michael Bellar is Keyboard Magazine’s Unsigned Artist of the Month.

Michael Gallant – KEYBOARD magazine
- Keyboard Magazine

Michael Bellar/the AS-IS Ensemble – Like It Is

Sporting track names like “Big ‘ole Yummy” and “The Gringo Shake,” Michael Bellar’s self-produced album is every bit as fun and quirky as its song titles imply. Using everything from acoustic piano to accordion and Wurly to pump organ, Michael creates energetic, multi-layered compositions that hold together despite their plentiful sonic variations. Funky grooves and creative percussion pervade and help accent Michael’s significant chops. Thanks to his wah’d out Wurly work, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is a delicate and wistful treat and framed by strong piano playing, “Tango Esperanza” is a highly-danceable accordion showcase. For joyfully proving himself to be a playful keyboard polymath, Michael Bellar is Keyboard Magazine’s Unsigned Artist of the Month.

Michael Gallant – KEYBOARD magazine
- Keyboard Magazine

.....the As-Is Ensemble is moving the concept of the jazz trio into some interesting and exciting new territory...

Each song, amazingly enough, stands alone as a spectacular composition or interpretation all the while creating a facile and fusible flow of music.

They are, unfortunately, not showing up at any of the festivals that are well-known and well-loved by readers of KyndMusic. If they were, they would easily and quickly take their place alongside jam jazz favorites like the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Medeski, Martin and Wood.
By Dave Terpeny - Kynd Music



combo

.....the As-Is Ensemble is moving the concept of the jazz trio into some interesting and exciting new territory...
........easily and quickly take their place alongside jam jazz favorites like the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Medeski, Martin and Wood.
By Dave Terpeny - Kynd Music - Kynd Music Review

.....the As-Is Ensemble is moving the concept of the jazz trio into some interesting and exciting new territory...

Each song, amazingly enough, stands alone as a spectacular composition or interpretation all the while creating a facile and fusible flow of music.

They are, unfortunately, not showing up at any of the festivals that are well-known and well-loved by readers of KyndMusic. If they were, they would easily and quickly take their place alongside jam jazz favorites like the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Medeski, Martin and Wood.
By Dave Terpeny - Kynd Music



combo

.....the As-Is Ensemble is moving the concept of the jazz trio into some interesting and exciting new territory...
........easily and quickly take their place alongside jam jazz favorites like the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Medeski, Martin and Wood.
By Dave Terpeny - Kynd Music - Kynd Music Review