Robin's Bio | Band Bio | Robin's Story

Band Bio

PAUL BANMAN - Producer, Musical Director and Keyboardist. Paul brings an eclectic musical experience to the Robin Avery Band. Known for his harmonic invention and accompaniment style he also enjoys song writing with Robin and trading solo riffs with the other musicians. Paul feels privileged to have performed with world class jazz artists - Pete Minger, Othello Molineaux, and Jerry Hahn in his career and also, to have toured internationally with The Lettermen and played Swiss resorts with the BB White Group.

Paul has performed extensively in South Florida in concerts, clubs, and for corporate events for the past 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Music Composition) Degree from Wichita State University and did Graduate Studies in Jazz Performance at the University of Miami . Paul is proud to have produced Robin's latest CD release The Way You Hold Me.

ORLANDO CONTRERAS JR. - Percussion & Vocals. Orlando has been a professional multi-percussionist/vocalist for over twenty five years. Born in Havana Cuba and raised between New York and Florida, Orlando has made a career of playing all styles of music locally and in various parts of the world accompanying some top names in music, movies and video; Will Smith, Ricky Martin, Kool & the Gang, Willy Chirino, Diana Ross, Chuck Mangioni, Burt Reynolds, Eddie Murphy, Alex Fox and boxer Roberto Duran in his attempt in being a salsa singer to name a few.

Armed with state of the art, top of the line equipment, a happy and funny open to anything attitude and the ability to play any & everything put in front of him Orlando , has gained the respect and the confidence of his fellow musicians. And now as one of the first to join his favorite band (Robin Avery & the Avery Banman project), Orlando is having the time of his life.

ANTON BASS – Bass. A native of Florida , Ant first acquired his devotion for music through the church, expanding into secular music from listening to his siblings' extensive collection of music consisting of jazz, song stylists, R&B, Broadway and Classical music, fashioning a musical style yet to come.

In his late teens he teamed up with Jerome Smith of the Oceanliners, featuring KC, the Blue Eyed Soul Brother aka KC and the Sunshine Band. Ant was strongly influenced by the Motown sound and the likes of James Brown. He opened concerts with the Oceanliners for, Curtis Mayfield, the Isley Brothers, Rufus Thomas, and Johnny Taylor to name a few. Ant recorded with T.K. writer and producer Willie Clark, as well as producer Noel William (King Sporty, writer of “Buffalo Soldier”) and recorded on his version of “Stir It Up”. He also collaborated with Phillip Wright (former guitarist for King Curtis and J.R. Walker and the Allstars) on an album that lead to a single release featuring Phillip's sister, Betty Wright (Epic Records).

He consistently pursues an inner search for fresh sounds while contributing in the shadows to the recording industry and influencing many renowned bass players.

MITCH FARBER - Guitar. Mitch (I've Found My Nitsch) Farber started playing guitar at age 10 and has been playing continuously for 37+ years. He has played along music greats in the likes of “Buddy King” of the nationally acclaimed group “Magnificent Men” and Bob Martin, the keyboard multi-instrumentalist for Frank Zappa.

Mitch had the opportunity to play along side such acclaimed artists as Chuck Mangione, Michael Brecker, Rich Derringer, Ira Sullivan, KC and the Sunshine Band (one of his all time favorites) as well as several other great session favorites. In the studio he is a top call session player in the South Florida area and teaches in the Miami Dade Community College guitar program.

His dedication to his instrument has certainly turned into a gift for all who have the opportunity to hear him play; a truly great guitarist in his own right and a great pleasure for those who have the opportunity to know and work with him.