Avi Bortnick
Avi Bortnick is an American guitarist who became more widely known after his association with jazz guitarist John Scofield. Bortnick joined Scofield's jam-oriented band in 2000, and played rhythm guitar and samples on three records: Überjam,[1] Up All Night,[2] and Überjam Deux.
Biography
Born in Israel, Bortnick was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was immersed in the sounds of funk, rock and soul. After moving to California, Bortnick began to play with various African and Caribbean bands. Later, as a graduate student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Bortnick started the band "What It Is", which became popular in the South East touring circuit.
Bortnick became known as a strong rhythm guitar player, and came to John Scofield's attention[3] when putting a band together to support his Verve release, Bump. A five-month tour extended to 4½ years. In 2003, Avi released his solo CD Clean Slate with 12 original songs.
Bortnick resides in New York City, playing with various bands, including Avi B Three, Shitty Shitty Jam Band (with members of Verve recording artists The Brazilian Girls), Rene Lopez, Jihae, Erik Deutsch, and Betty Black and the Ghost Train Orchestra.
Discography
As leader
- 2003: Clean Slate (AXB, 2003)
As sideperson
With John Scofield
- Uberjam (Verve, 2002)
- Up All Night (Verve, 2003)
- Uberjam Deux (Verve, 2013)
References