Acoustic Machine

Acoustic Machine was created as a result of a spontaneous fusion of European, African and Latin notions. In the cultural diversity of the team each player contributed their inique background and musical personality into the blend of a unique cosmopolitan style.
The group has a unique dimensional style that fluctuates from a tight beat to jazz and elevates to complexity of a classical composition. Their non-commercial approach creates a musical image that is sincere unique and complex.

Serge Krichenko - composer, professional guitar player, music teacher, leader of "Acoustic Machine"

"Since my childhood I adore music and I am always in it, in its eternal labirints, in its fantastical diversity. The most beautiful thing in this world to me always was, is and will be to play music, to study it, to have fun with it, to show it to people and to keep it hidden in me."

When playing, Serge practices an incredible technique - two-handed tapping and forte-piano style. The result is a sound of two or more guitars talking. His unorthodox method of playing has placed him in the top ranks of world-class guitarists. His background and experience ranges from the ancient ethnic, antique music to the very modern experiments with classical music, to Jazz.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia - Serge has travelled around the world playing with countless musicians, such as "The Work" - one of the leaders of modern rock (England), star of van-guard music "The Entertainment Killer" (Switzerland), Czeslaw Niemen (Poland), Russian Jazz stars Sergei Kurehin and Vlad Chekasin and many others. He now lives in America (Washington DC) and offers private lessons for aspiring musicians.

Rafael Javadov - Violinist, Musical Director of "Acoustic Machine"

Violinist Rafael Javadov received his Bachelor of Music degree from Dnepropetrovsk State Music College (Ukraine), 1989, and went on to graduate the Glinka State Music College of the Ukraine and the Rostov-Don Conservatory in Russia, earning his master degree in Violin: Soloist, Performer and Music Educator. After graduating from the Conservatory, he played in one of the top Ukrainian orchestras- Dnepropetrovsk Symphony. Rafael's excellent leadership abilities allowed him to become the conductor and arranger for Dnepropetrovsk Youth Violin Ensemble Violino". In 1995, the Ensemble toured Ukraine, Russia and Germany so successfully, that it was offered a tour in the United States.

Since 1995, Mr. Javadov has been residing in the U.S.A. He has performed with many of the Washington DC region orchestras: Delaware Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Philly Pops Orchestra, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Baltimore Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Arlington Symphony, Fairfax Symphony and The Baltimore Simfonietta. He has also played numerous recitals as a soloist and as a member of chamber music ensembles. He taught violin privately and as assistant of Rebecca Henry, the Head of the Strings at Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore.
Rafael has a special "outstanding artist" (extraordinary) status, which allows him to live in the United States. Throughout his career, he has had experience in both performing and overseeing musical groups throughout Russia and the United States.

Steve Zerlin

Steve (Z-man) Zerlin is a brilliant and versatile bassist, fluent in many styles. He is accomplished as a jazz musician on both electric and acoustic bass and is well versed in Eastern modalities having adapted the bass guitar to Indian music. He has toured India, Europe and extensively throughout the USA and performed with many top artists including Dennis Chambers, Carl Filipiak, Jack DeJohnette, Paul McCandless, Tom Canning, Paul Bollenback, Jeff Coffin, Terrence Disley, guitarist Vinny Valetino and pianist, Jessica Williams. He has also performed with pop artists, Kenny Loggins, The Coasters, The Drifters and The Platters and The Marvelettes.

Steve appears on many CD’s including recordings with Vinny Valentino, Dan Leonard, Fred Hughes, Peter Fraize and innovative Italian trombonist, Gian Carlo Schiafini. He was recently sited in Jazz Times Magazine (April 2004 edition) for his unique style and abilities.

Steve released his own CD, Still Life, with Ed Sareth and some of Washington DC’s finest musicians, Dan Leonard, Bruce Guttridge, Peter Fraize and Victor Williams, and continues to compose music for Facing East. Over the past 20 years Steve has become well known in the DC area working with most of the area’s finest musicians; among them are Fred Pena, Sean Rickman, Marshall Keys, Keith Kilgo, Tim Eyerman’s East Coast Offering, The Fred Hughes Trio and The Peter Fraize Trio.

Alejandro Lucini

Bachelor of Music Education, 1997, Howard University Prof. Lucini was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied at the Excola de Musica de Brasilia with master percussionist Ney Rosauro. He later attended classes at the Pro-Arte School of Music, the University of Rio de Janeiro, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He was a member of the Rio de Janeiro Youth Orchestra and later of the Brasilia Symphony Orchestra. Having become well known for his skills in Brazilian percussion, he began performing with many celebrated musicians and by 1990 had toured Berlin with the Brazilian group, No em Pingo de Agua. That same year he moved to the United States, having developed his own method of teaching and having published the book Brazilian Rhythms for Percussion and Drums. Since then he has performed with numerous musicians including The Canadian Brass and many local celebrities. Prof. Lucini has received awards from the International Association of Jazz Education and has been nominated multiple times for Washington Area Music Awards recognition. In 2002 he was named by WAMA as Best Latino Instrumentalist. His Brazilian jazz group has performed at locations across the Washington Metropolitan area, including the World Bank and the Library of Congress. Lucini received a grant form the DC Commission for the Arts in 1994 to promote recordings of his group, which included his own original compositions and arrangements. He joined the GW faculty in where he leads the Latin Band Los Gringos in addition to playing with the Faculty Jazz Quintet and teaching Latin percussion.

Testimonies

Last night, I went to see Acoustic Machine, a five piece band, the other night and they were better than fantastic!!! Virtuoso instrumentation and remarkable songs. I had a great time enjoying Acoustic Machine and Serge Krichenko’s music and I can't wait to see and hear them again.

Keith John
Three time Grammy Winner,
Recorded and toured with such well known artists as Billy Idol, Neil Young, Edward Van Halen, Stephen Stillls, Bob Seger and to name a few...

more bios, photos of the band in action and mp3 downloads coming soon!