"Ike and Napoleon had a magical effect on the band and the audience last spring,'' marvels PROJECT/OBJECT ringleader Andre Cholmondeley. "I can't wait to see what will happen this fall."

Thanks to the one-two punch supplied by Ike and Napoleon for the band's European debut this summer, PROJECT/OBJECT has now become an international force as well.

Many other Zappa alumni have been similarly inspired to perform with PROJECT/OBJECT and more recently, so have other notable artists such as Phish's Jon Fishman, Capt. Beefheart/Jeff Buckley guitarist Gary Lucas; and Chuck Garvey, Al Schnier and Jim Loughlin of moe.

Since its formation a decade ago, PROJECT/OBJECT has been rapidly gaining notoriety for its onstage dedication to its singular mission. The band continually introduces successive generations of improv-oriented music fans around the country to Zappa's monumental legacy, performing music from every era of Zappa's prolific career while acutely recreating the unique fun and excitement of the Frank Zappa concert experience.

bio PROJECT/OBJECT Recreating the Live Frank Zappa Experience

The members of PROJECT/OBJECT feel that Frank Zappa is one of the 20th Century's greatest and most important composers, and they are on a mission to bring his music to the masses by faithfully recreating the live Zappa experience.

PROJECT/OBJECT formed in the early '90s as an offshoot from an annual Frank Zappa birthday celebration that took place in guitarist Andre Cholmondeley's basement in New Jersey. As the event grew in size and popularity, PROJECT/OBJECT began performing Zappa's music in larger and larger venues, with a growing set list from every era of Zappa's 30-year recording career. The band strives to stay true to Frank's vision of constantly challenging the musicians and the audiences.

During Zappa's 1984 and 1988 tours, members of PROJECT/OBJECT became friendly with Ike Willis, the legendary 10-plus year Zappa vocalist and guitarist whose career with Frank began in the role of "Joe" on the classic Zappa album, Joe's Garage. In 1995, the members of PROJECT/OBJECT sent a tape of a live show to Ike and he was impressed enough that he agreed to come out to the East Coast to join the band onstage for a few gigs in the New York area. After that tremendous first outing, Ike agreed to repeat this experience in the future.

Ike felt the members of PROJECT/OBJECT were able to recreate the fun and excitement that he felt with Frank Zappa on stage. Other Zappa alumni have also performed with the band, including Jimmy Carl Black, Denny Walley, Mike Keneally and even Al Malkin. Big band leader and "Zappologist" Ed Palermo and Capt. Beefheart guitarist Gary Lucas have frequently collaborated with the band as well.

Frank Zappa was extremely influential to many musicians, especially many jam bands, including Phish, moe., and Deep Banana Blackout. While many jam band fans are aware that Frank Zappa was very influential, many are unfamiliar with his music. Of those that are familiar, many were too young to have seen him in concert. PROJECT/OBJECT is the closest they will get to the live Zappa experience, and the band enjoys much support from this demographic.

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