Irina Yalkowsky
The story of Irina Yalkowsky, fast-rising hot licks blues guitarist and theramin player, is one of determination and pure musical dedication. She started out by busking in the streets of Boston – performing in Harvard Square and in subways a well as co-hosting open-mic blues jams at clubs. She has performed with acts including her own Little Wolf and the Mojos and Katie and Irina while also performing with Shirley Lewis, Earring George Meyweather, The Soft Explosions, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Susan Tedeschi.
Jeremy Kay
Jeremy discovered bass while listening to early Motown Stevie Wonder records and has since gone on to play with diverse range of artists including: Ambulance LTD, The Sweet Divines, Ben Kweller, Sonny Oaks, Marva Whitney, Syl Johnson, Otis Clay, Lee Fields, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, The Mighty Hannibal, Tammi Lynn, Maxine Brown, Howard Tate, Billy Prince, and many many more…
Ezra Oklan
Like any rock n roll drummer worth his salt, Ezra started out his musical life by banging on pots and pans to Zeppelin, The Beatles and Michael Jackson, but quickly graduated to studying a range of musical styles as well as instruments, including the trumpet, classical piano, and Guitar, to name but a few. At the the ripe old age of 17, Ezra moved to New York City, where he quickly became the session drummer of choice for many well-known Jazz and Rock artists….. finally arriving at the place he calls home with Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea.
Joe Jennings
Joe Jennings is somewhat of a jack of all trades. He is a tour manager, film maker, photographer, writer, and skilled juggler. He loves to draw inspiration from those who surround him and he lives for the unexpected adventure.
Cashmere
Cashmere, aka ’100% Cashmere’, met Nicole on a park bench in sunny St. Tropez. A former member of the Chinese National basketball team, Cashmere suffered an career-ending injury which ultimately led to his self-imposed exile to Berlin – utterly lost, and wandering the streets, he turned to music in a fit of desperation. By the time Nicole came across him, Cashmere had become a veritable ‘DJ to the stars’, spinning minimalist-French-progressive-acid house at celebrity galas along the beaches of the Mediterranean. Upon meeting Atkins, who lured him with the promise of American riches, he packed up his sequined turntables and made for the gritty shores of New York, where he taught himself English, took up the piano, and became a member of Nicole Atkins and the Sea. They would go on to tour North America and Europe, taking the world by storm. Now, 45 years later, Cashmere has become a full-time music producer, and continues to collaborate with Nicole (along with a collective of local underground dubstep artists). He has never forgotten his love of basketball. Cashmere. 100%.
