Liquid Monk

Since forming in early 2013, Liquid Monk's infectious fusion of funk, soul, jam, electronic and jazz has been spreading throughout Southeast Michigan. High energy live performances led by a wide array of instrumentation including synthesizers, Rhodes piano, hand percussion, vocoder and Hammond organ, has captivated audiences and kept them on their toes.

Originally forming as a trio with Drummer Eric "Fil" Fillip, Guitarist and Vocalist Mike Leonard, and Keyboardist Omar Taji, the three set out to create a band with a fresh sound that had the complexities to please hardcore music lovers but yet was still accessible to the average listener. Digging from a wide range of classic influences like Herbie Hancock, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Bill Withers and the Grateful Dead, mixed with contemporary sounds from artists like Snarky Puppy, STS9 and Radiohead, the initial palette was set for the band. Their first live performance was on the 2013 Dally In The Alley Main Stage in Detroit and it promptly created a buzz in the city. Not long after this, Guitarist Dan Gruszka and Organist Scott Kulik were added to the lineup. Their experience in improvisational ambient rock and soul jazz would prove an exciting sonic addition to the group.

In this short period of time, Liquid Monk has performed at many well known clubs and festivals in Southeast Michigan and shows no signs of slowing down. Notable performances include Cliff Bell's, HopCat Detroit, Jazz Cafe at Music Hall, The Blind Pig, The Old Miami, Dally In The Alley, Homegrown Festival Ann Arbor and the Woodbridge Summer Festival in Detroit.