Max Zbiral – Teller

Max Zbiral – Teller
New York, NY
Grant amount: $14,750

About the Artist

Fresh off a globetrotting touring schedule in 2018-2019; including 4 tours of Europe, their first tour in India, their first tour to Hong Kong, and numerous shows and festivals throughout the United States, House Of Waters saw their 2020 and 2021 touring schedule derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

House of Waters latest album, Rising, was released in partnership with Snarky Puppy’s GroundUp Music label in February 2019. Their eponymous 2016 album, House of Waters, was also released on GroundUP Music, and debuted at #2 on the iTunes World Music Charts. All About Jazz calls it, “A rare and beautiful gem,” while TimeOutNY calls their performances, “A sight to behold.” 

Lauded as the “Jimi Hendrix of Hammered Dulcimer” by NPR, Max ZT is an innovator of the instrument. Taking his roots from Irish folk music, Max has transplanted his compositional techniques to both Senegal, where he studied the Mandinko technique with the Cissoko griot family, and to India, where he received a grant to study under the santoor master Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. His fresh perspective and bold experimentalism have been the backbone to beautiful, complex, and genuine compositions, while his unorthodox playing style has been a pioneering force in revolutionizing dulcimer techniques. 

Moto Fukushima has been playing music for as long as he can remember. Accompanying such greats as Joe Lovano, Mike Stern, and Dave Weckl, he has redefined the role of the bass. With a strong background in jazz improvisation, Western classical music and the African inspired musics of South America, Moto's playing is an amazing combination of finesse, subtlety, and power. 

Richie Barshay. Based in Western Massachusetts, Richie Barshay is one of the most sought after drummers in the scene. Performing regularly with The Klezmatics, Herbie Hancock, Lee Konitz, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea, and many others, Richie brings a unique blend of jazz, Afro-Latin, and klezmer drumming styles to the group.
House of Waters has scored an Emmy winning documentary for ESPN, and has shared the stage with some of the most influential musical leaders of the century including: Pandit Ravi Shankar, Victor Wooten, Tinariwen, Jimmy Cliff, Snarky Puppy, Karsh Kale, and more.