Description
Since the mid 90’s, Gregg Terlizzi, Lee Baronian And Arthur Toufayan have created some very distinct, colorful music that collaborates Middle Eastern, Jazz and Blue Grass. With timing changes and unique tempos as well as the wonderful blend of percussion, mandolin, and guitar, this band has formulated a unique sound second to none.
Lee Baronian: acclaimed percussionist whose versatile musical style ranges from Jazz to Middle Eastern to Rock to Bluegrass. He has performed with world-renowned percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan from the Al DiMeola and Joe Zawinul groups. He has also toured through Europe with Middle Eastern fusion groups Taksim and Transition. Currently, he is the co-founder of the band “Particle Theory”, a band in he describes as Jazz-grass fusion.
Gregg Terlizzi: the co-founder of the band “Particle Theory”. His early guitar influence was in rock music where he led two different groups “Sick and Tired” and “The Shredders”. In his early 20’s he discovered the sounds of jazz great Wes Montgomery, which would later change his style of playing and composing. As his jazz roots grew so did his interest in bluegrass music. He began studying mandolin and listened to the masters such as Bill Monroe, David Grisman, and Sam Bush. His unique style and diverse background are the basis of the Particle Theory sound.
Arthur Toufayan, heralding from a long line of Armenien heritage, was first exposed to the style of Middle Eastern Music through his greatest influence, his grandfather, Artin Toufayan. At the age of 4, Arthur began spending much of his time alongside his grandfather either at the famous, family owned Toufayan Bakery or while he plucked the oud, the short necked, fretless 11 string lute like instrument. Drawn to the music, Arthur began taking guitar lessons at the age of 12 with interest in heavy metal then eventually the Grateful Dead and the whimsical sounds of Jerry Garcia’s guitar. From there, Arthur found himself engulfed in the styles of Django Reinhardt, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Rick Neilson, Eddie Van Halen, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. He teamed up with John Siliato to form Wigjam, one of northern New Jersey’s original Grateful Dead Tribute Bands and soon after teamed up with Lee Baronian and Gregg Terlizzi to form the band Particle Theory. Both bands continue to play throughout the tri-state area.
