PHI-FUSION

Pictured left to right: Jeffrey (keyboards & sax / West Haven), Jenny (keyboards, trombone / dancer / Orange), Robby (keyboards, guitar, trombone & percussion / Orange), Christina (keyboards / Orange), Gabrielle (keyboards/ dancer / Orange), Julie (piano, clarinet & trumpet / West Haven), Michael (keyboards, guitar & sax / Orange), Freeman (sax / Orange), & missing from photo Cynthia (dancer / Orange). (Along with Mark Schwartz (guitar), Tony Aiardo (vocals), Doreen Aiardo (keyboards & other special guests!)

Who we are:
PHI-FUSION is made up of local Jr. High & High School friends and music students of Doreen Gaetano Aiardo, nationally certified music educator . They are our "showcase" band featuring students on a multitude of instruments: 3 keyboards, clarinet, 2-3 saxes, 2 trombones, 1 trumpet, 2-3 guitars, bass, percussion, etc. Most members all play piano as their first instrument, although Doreen is showcasing them on as many instruments as they can play!

The band has given us a safe, fun, learning experience with an opportunity to play in an ensemble, which can develop and sharpen our musical ears. It has also given us a chance to perform in different kinds of venues and environments (inside/outside, formal and informal) - with all the acoustical elements to address - all within a comfortable atmosphere of new friends. Overall, we've seen much growth musically and a development of positive self esteem in all who have participated. We are the sum of our parts! We rehearse weekly, and enjoy playing for a multitude of venues.

Our music:
We are very family orientated, performing for public, private and family orientated types of celebrations. This multi-instrumentally talented group of Jr. High and High School students, originally started out playing piano arrangements of World Music i.e. Polish, Jewish, Italian, Spanish, Irish, Caribbean, and American line dances (since piano was their first, main instrument) and grew to include many 2nd and 3rd instruments to include our favorite African-funk, disco, rock, party horn tunes, and holiday classics. Many are demonstrated & narrated by their "Dancers" with arrangements & narration written by Doreen Aiardo who writes/arranges and adapts all the music to fit each student's instrument(s) / ability. It has been rewarding for the students to see such audience participation as they dance along to all familiar favorites. (See our Playlist).

Our performances:
We play for many private and public venues including:

Macy's, Milford, CT - "Shop For A Cause" (welcoming us back every year)
Johnny Ray's Restaurant, Milford, CT (always welcoming us back)
Town of Orange, CT's December Tree Lighting Holiday Town Festival
The Quassy Music Festival, Middlebury, CT - annually showcasing,
with music schools from CT & NY
The International Arts & Ideas Festival on the New Haven, CT Green at Yale
The Town of Orange, CT Summer Concert Series
Savin Rock Conference Center, West Haven, CT - private parties
Trumbull / Westfield Mall - Trumbull, CT
Annual Benefit Dance to Support Youth in "Music Education in Schools"
along with NY guest musicians

For information:
Contact: Doreen Aiardo, Director in Connecticut: (203) 795-5132, email: daiardo@optonline.net

PLAYLIST
(constantly updated):
26+ World Music Pieces & Dances with historical fact narration
Dances demonstrated & choreographed by the "PHI-FUSION" dancers

Full Program is approx. 1 hour and 25 minutes of straight music,
but can be adjusted to small sets or part of the repertoire for any designated time.

American:

Get Down Tonight (Key F) - KC Sunshine Band
That's The Way I Like It (Cm)- KC Sunshine Band
Thriller (Bb) - Michael Jackson
I Got You / I Feel Good (Bb) - James Brown YMCA (F) - American

African Influence/Funk/R&B

Brick House (Fm) - Commodores: Lionel Richie, LaPred, Orange, Williams, McClary & King
What Is Hip? (F) - Tower of Power: Kupka, Castillo & David Garibaldi
Play That Funky Music (E) - Rob Parissi
Shining Star (E) -Maurice White, Phil Bailey & Larry Dunn (Earth Wind & Fire)
Earth Wind & Fire "Dance Mix" medley: M. White, Vaughn/ Lind, Willis, / M. White, McKay
"Let's Groove" (Gm) / "Boogie Wonderland" (Gm) / "Sing A Song" (F)

Spanish

Black Magic Woman (Dm) - Santana
Tequila (F) - Chuck Rio

Polish Beer Barrel Polka (C ) - Polish Folk

Israeli Hava Nagilah (E) - Israeli Folk

Italian The Tarantelle (Am) - Italian Folk

English Beatles Tribute: Hey Jude (F) - Lennon & McCartney Eleanor Rigby (Em) - Lennon & McCartney Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da (G) - Lennon & McCartney All You Need Is Love (G) - Lennon & McCartney

Mexican Mexican Hat Clapping Dance / La Raspa ( C ) - Spanish Folk

Irish The Irish Jig / Washerwoman" - Irish Folk (G)

Carribbean Electric Boogie (Slide) - (D)

SouthWest America Cotton Eyed Joe (A)

Special: Christmas:
1) Christmas Time Is Here (V.Guaraldi/Charlie Brown),
2) A Holiday Medley
3) Jingle Bell Rock