THE WAVA STORY

Frequent after-school jam sessions among four friends grew organically into a band originally known as Grand Jury. The group - Jackson Breit, Geoff Cole, Kyle Watts (all 15 years old), and Bucky Henry (13 years old) - began to focus exclusively on creating original work with their own unique sound. Encouraged by the positive response to their music, the band recorded a three song EP of their early songs. Although somewhat primitive, that first recording experience was enough to inspire them to refine their sound and create more new material. The addition of classically trained keyboard player and close friend Niraj Patel (16 years old) fulfilled their desire to add more musical depth. The group, now five musicians, began to rework every song by adding keyboards as they prepared to open for Badfish, a Sublime tribute band, for their sold-out show at the highly acclaimed NorVa in Norfolk, Virginia. The band embarked on a period of wide-open musical exploration and creativity after being motivated by the enthusiastic support of a growing audience. New songs opened up possibilities to experiment with new sounds and instruments. The addition of trumpet, broader use of percussion, as well as expanded use of keyboard and synthesizer all combined to form their signature sound. Their new material, with its raw driving sound, was highly accessible and gave their music broad appeal. It was clear that this was a new day and Wava was born.

A greater show schedule and a dedicated following provided the incentive to continue writing new music. Wava’s popularity grew and so did the number of promising opportunities. However, none of the opportunities came close to surpassing the chance to work with award winning producer, Doc Holiday. Recording a demo CD in Holiday’s state of the art studio compelled them to sharpen their technical proficiency as they benefited from Doc’s extensive knowledge and expertise. Months later, the band returned to the studio with Holiday, ready to record a full-length album that would present Wava to the world. While guiding the band through the complexities of studio recording, Doc Holiday skillfully tapped into the essence of each musician bringing out the best in each of them. This debut album is genuine - no studio musicians or high-tech tricks. As legendary producer Doc Holiday attests, “What you hear is what you got!”

WAVA destined to change the face and sound of today's music

Jackson Breit, Considered the backbone of WAVA, lead singer, lead guitarist as well as writer of most of the songs on this album. Even at this young age he has become an extraordinary song writer, blending instrumental hooks as well as relatable lyrics. Jackson also plays the trumpet on some of his WAVA creations. Although he is still in high school, at 16 years of age, he finds time to play tennis, basketball, soccer, snowboard, and serve as a member of Operation Smile. Jackson has had many musical influences in his short life. Since the day he was born, his dad, a true music lover blared the same style of classic rock music that Jackson performs to this very day, only with the added "Jackson" twist. Maybe that is one of the reasons he is deaf in his right ear, but that does not stop the creative genius with the future and drive to change popular music.

Geoff Cole was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia 17 years ago and has lived within a half mile of the Atlantic Ocean ever since. As a result, Geoff has developed a love for the beach, the ocean, and all the activities that go along with it.
When he was a child, Geoff would go to the movies and pay more attention to the music score than the movie itself. At a very young age, he was instructed in classical piano music, which he studied for several years before taking up bass guitar, his true passion. Excelling in academics and music in junior high school, he earned acceptance into the Virginia School for the Performing Arts. Wanting to focus on his future college years, he chose to attend a local preparatory school where he met fellow WAVA band members. Currently a junior in high school, Geoff has dabbled in tennis, basketball, and golf, and plays in the school's jazz and rock bands, as well as a drum circle. He has contributed many community service hours performing for the local parks and recreation department and for the Virginia Beach Library awareness program. In 2005 Geoff was accepted into the highly acclaimed "VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS"
Geoff respects all types of music. He was initially drawn to rap and hip-hop music because of the heavy emphasis on the bass, then ventured into faster paced ska before exhibiting a preference for rock and reggae.

Niraj Patel has been playing music his entire life. He began his classical training at the age of five and has continued it ever since. Niraj began playing jazz drums and piano starting at twelve. He made the transition to keyboard and synthesizer at seventeen and hasn't looked back. After jamming with several bands ranging in styles from metal to progressive rock and toying with the idea of fronting a progressive rock band, he was invited to join WAVA by Jackson Breit, Immediately impressed with the discipline and musical ability of the members, he agreed to join the band full time.
Aside from playing in WAVA, Niraj, now 18 years of age, is also a full time student at Yale University, studying economics. He also performs in their jazz ensemble and plays on their club volleyball team. In adddition, he is a part of AIESEC, an international exchange organization, in which he deals with people development and ensuring efficient time and resource allocation. His hobbies include beach volleyball, composing, arranging, recording, and producing. He hopes to continue learning recording and production techniques, and to branch into keyboard programming.

Kyle Watts, is seventeen years old and plays guitar in WAVA. He was born and still lives in Virginia Beach, VA. Kyle has been passionate about music ever since he started playing the guitar at age twelve. Although guitar was his first instrument and continues to be his main focus, he also enjoys playing the drums and any type of world percussion. Kyle formed a Drum Circle Club at his school and is a member of the Environmental Protection Club. Besides playing music, he loves to express himself through surfing and art, spending a great deal of time hanging out with friends, going to concerts, relaxing on the beach, laying on hammocks, bathing in hot tubs during the winter, and watching the sunset. He also loves traveling so that he can see new places while experiencing new cultures.

Bucky Henry Since a very young age, Bucky immersed himself in music of all forms. He took up drums in elementary school and immediately found influence in the funk, rock and reggae sounds. Of the many bands he listen to, some of his favorites include Dispatch, Bob Marley, Umphrey's McGee, and Mute Math. As a 15 year-old high school student, he has directed much of his attention and has drawn most of his non-musical influence from English class. He enjoys reading, creative writing, and poetry.
When he's not playing music and initiating impromptu acoustic jam sessions with his like-minded friends, he can be found on the water, surfing and sailing.