WhorlWood is an acoustic dynamo. Weaving together folk, jazz, and world music since 2016. Built on strong original music by Michael George Gonzalez (guitar, vocals) with high-caliber musicians.
Featuring SAMMY Award winning artist Perry Cleaveland (mandolin, fiddle, voice) with Doug Henrie (upright bass) and Steve Imburgia (percussion).
Michael is a musician steeped in roots, jazz, soul, and world music. His sultry voice and expressive guitar work draw in the audience with dynamic, engaging sounds.
A trained composer with 25 years experience performing, composing, and teaching throughout the US. He is the co-founder of the Geneva Jazz Festival. And founder the Finger Lakes Independent Music Alliance (FLIMA).
Known for his versatility, Michael performs for hundreds of diverse public and private events. Whether a solo act, or with a full band—background music, or the center of the party—Michael adapts to the needs of the situation.
Perry Cleaveland is a SAMMY Award winning mandolinist who also adds lead and harmony vocals, fiddle, lead guitar and clawhammer banjo. Born in Louisville, Kentucky Perry emigrated to Syracuse, N.Y. and grew up in a household that hosted many bluegrass luminaries during his formative years. In his High School years, and continuing later, he began playing in a number of New York State Bluegrass bands including: Hard Times, Pleasant Valley, Bristol Mountain Bluegrass, Rosewood, John Rossbach & Chestnut Grove, The McCarthy Paisley Band, and Lost Time.
He has performed for festivals, colleges, clubs, private parties, corporate events, arts centers, schools, town concerts, PBS/NPR affiliates: WCNY, & WXXI, and New York State Council on the Arts-sponsored events, including Arts in Education series’ under the auspices of Young Audiences of Rochester. His innovative mandolin playing keeps him in demand as a recording session player throughout New York State having played on projects by many regional Bluegrass, Old Timey and Folk artists.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Doug is a seasoned pro with decades of experience folk, bluegrass, jazz, and more. He started his performing career as a teenager in the legendary Henrie Brothers, touring throughout the country. He’s an in demand session musician in the studio and live on stage.
Steve Imburgia (IMBRO) is a drummer & percussionist who is currently performing with several bands and musicians in and around the Rochester, New York area.
He plays a wide range of percussion instruments and has a broad knowledge of ethnic music styles. He spent three years collaborating and touring with Sankofa, an African Drum and Dance ensemble. Steve has shared his experience and knowledge doing Arts in Education, Young Audience performances and clinics.
He was most honored to be asked to play drumset at Rochester’s Geva Theatre in the musical production “Famous Orpheus” by Charles F. Gordon (OyamO). This performance was in collaboration with the world renowned Garth Fagan Dance company.
