Annie Moses Band: Eden

Named after a beloved great-grandmother, the Annie Moses Band is actually comprised of the very talented Wolaver family, several of them Julliard graduates.

Annie Wolaver a virtuoso violinist, Alex Wolaver playing the viola and cellist Benjamin Wolaver front the band, with the very able help of friends Peter Bales (bass guitar) with Javier Santiago on percussion, among others. Between them they swing from genre to genre at breath-taking speed. From the album's opening inspirational tracks ("Lover of My Soul" & "Eden") to the bouncy pop feel of "Absolute," to the straight-up bluegrass fiddle-fest "Turkey Blossom Medley," it's a wonderful series of surprises. There are a few piano-driven ballads ("All the Same" & the emotive "When Daddy Says I'm Beautiful"), and even some rich classical tracks ("Soli Deo Gloria" & closer "Fugue in E Minor"), each handled with zestful excellence.

A talented vocalist with a wide range, Annie performs the American folk-hymn "What Wondrous Love is This" in the historically correct four shape note system of colonial America. The Annie Moses Band is thoroughly and enthusiastically committed to excellence and it shows up beautifully in this debut, first released last summer. Suite had an opportunity to preview their upcoming Christmas album and their growth as a band has only continued. That album shows even more flair and joyful gusto; both Annie Moses Band projects are more than worthy of a place in your music library.