The Jazztronauts

Jazztro-who?

The Jazztronauts are an adaptable trio of young Bay Area musicians that play a variety of swing, funk, contemporary jazz, fusion and bebop.

Jazztronauts 101

The Jazztronauts have headlined at many venues around the Bay Area, including Yoshi's, the Throckmorton Theatre, the Berkeley Jazzschool, the Boom Boom Room, and many others. We won "Best Youth Combo" at both the 2006 & 2007 Santa Cruz Jazz Festivals, in addition to each bandmember receiving an "Outstanding Soloist" award individually. We were selected to perform as a part of the "Rising Stars Series" at the Berkeley Jazzschool in both 2007 and 2008, a series of concerts designed to bring young, talented musicians into the forefront of the local jazz community.

Meet the Band

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Max Chanowitz

Keyboards

Max Chanowitz has been studying music for over eleven years, and is currently a pupil of Berkeley pianist Susan Muscarella. Max began playing classical music at the age of seven, but like many great musicians, discovered the beauty of improvisation and now primarily plays jazz.

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Michael Nourafshan

Drums

Michael Nourafshan has been playing for seven years and has studied with the likes of Mike Clarke, Tootie Heath, and current mentor Vince Lateano. Michael’s main influences are Elvin Jones, Chris Dave and Jeff “Tain” Watts. His unfaltering energy serves as the engine that drives this dynamic group.

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Erik Strand

Bass and Guitar

Erik Strand is a self-taught musician whose versatility serves as a key asset for the group. Starting briefly with classical piano, his outstanding ear and eagerness to learn quickly led him to pick up blues, rock, and jazz, as well as guitar and bass.