Mantis Evar is Co-founder and Executive Vice President for Indaba Music Media, a leading online music collaboration service supporting professional and independent artists, creating and distributing music using new and innovative methods and technology to service its 1.3 million subscribers. Contracted as music experts for Microsoft, Indaba Music also developed, designed and curated the widely used Converse Sample Library, hosted talent searches such as the annual International Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition and Stone Temple Pilots lead vocal search.
Mantis currently owns and operates the Indaba Music Studio and continues to work with emerging and world-class artists such as Wyclef Jean, Bootsy Collins and Vernon Reid. This 40-year music industry veteran is a well respected inspiration throughout the world-wide music community with musical dedications such as Where’s Mantis Evar? (Canada), Mantis (France) and Lord Mantis (Germany) all charting in their prospective territories.
As a musician he has performed live with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joey DeFrancesco. While home acted as studio manager for TKO Recording Studios eventually setting focus on live sound where he has worked with Dr. Billy Taylor and Freddie Hubbard. As audio consultant for Sam Ash Music, Mantis has designed and maintained sound systems for many top New York City nightclubs including the Limelight, Palladium and The Tunnel as well as live concert systems used by Metallica and Guns ‘N’ Roses. After a few years at Capitol Records working with Beastie Boys, Butthole Surfers, Yoko Ono and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Mantis transferred to Blue Note Records where his list of credits grew to include Norah Jones, Joe Chambers, Ron Carter, Joe Lovano, Pat Martino and Chucho Valdes. During a two-year residence at hallowed jazz shrine Village Vanguard, Evar recorded jazz greats such as Martial Solal, Greg Osby, Jim Hall, Bill Charlap, Bill Frisell, the Chucho Valdes Quartet and many others.
Mantis is currently in conversations with Dustin Hoffman‘s production team in creating a visual presentation of the life of Mantis to be produced by American playwright, screenwriter and director Charles Messina who wrote and directed Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, the story of Queen front man Freddie Mercury and Dion: the the story of Dion Dimucci of Dion and the Belmonts.
CREDITS:
Pepper Adams Critics Choice (2005) Mastering Engineer
Laurie Anderson Only An Expert Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Alkaline Trio I Found A Way Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Mose Allison The Mose Chronicles Vol.1 (2001) Product Manager
Mose Allison The Mose Chronicles Vol.2 (2002) Product Manager
Bryan Anthony Look At Me Now (2001) Producer
Bryan Anthony Songs For Dreamers (2006) Producer
Roy Ayers West Coast Vibes (2006) Mastering Engineer
Dan Black Symphonies Remix (2010) Executive Producer
BJL Technologies Live Comedy (2004) Recording Engineer
Brian Blade Fellowship (1999) Product Manager
Brian Blade Perceptual (2000) Product Manager
Bob Belden Black Dahlia (2000) Product Manager
Jane Bunnett Alma De Santiago (2001) Product Manager
Jane Bunnett Cuban Odyssey (2003) Product Manager
Don Byron Aria’s & Lieder (2000) Product Manager
Don Byron Romance With The Unseen (2000) Product Manager
Ron Carter Stardust (2002) Product Manager
Mariah Carey I’ll Be Lovin You Long Time Remix (2008) Executive Producer
Carmen and Camille Shine 4U Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Bill Charlap Written in the Stars (2000) Product Manager
Bill Charlap Stardust (2002) Product Manager
Bill Charlap Stardust – video (2002) Camera Operator
Bill Charlap Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Classified Make Trouble Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Eddie Condon Tiger Rag And All That Jazz (2005) Mastering Engineer
The Crystal Method Come Back Clean Remix (2009) Executive Producer
DeeStar Fool Of Yourself (2005) Producer
DeeStar Dillema (2005) Producer
DeeStar Simple Life (2005) Producer
Raheem DeVaughn I Don’t Care Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Crash Pad Chick Naked (1994) Electric Bass
Layla Davias Flying Kites (2016) Electric Bass
Layla Davias Dignity (2016) Electric Bass
Stefano di Battista Round About Roma (2003) Product Manager
DJ Smash Phonography (2001) Product Manager
DJ Smash Phonography 2 (2003) Product Manager
Bob Dorough Too Much Coffee Man (2000) Product Manager
Dorough/Frishberg Who’s on First? (2000) Product Manager
Eliane Elias Everything I Love (2000) Production Coordination
Dynasty Electric Sea In Your Eyes (2013) Electric Bass
Dynasty Electric Raw Honey (2014) Electric Bass
Kurt Elling Live In Chicago (2000) Production Coordination
Don Ellis The Essence (2005) Mastering Engineer
Duke Ellington 1969 White House Tribute (2002) Production Manager
Frank Emilio Ancestral Reflections (1999) Project Manager
Face*T Mixes (2005) Mastering Engineer
Tommy Flanagan Sunset and the Mockingbird (1998) Product Manager
Bill Frisell Live At The Village Vanguard (2003) Asst. Engineer
Garnets Leaving You Behind (2005) Mixing/Mastering Engineer
Meilana Gillard Day One (2008) Recording Engineer
Fun Ghouls Echostatic (1993) Electric Bass
Peter Gabriel Games Without Frontiers Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Jack Grace Live at Lakeside Lounge (1999) Recording Engineer
Jack Grace Basement Tapes (2000) Recording Engineer
Jack Grace Live At Rodeo Bar (2002) Recording Engineer
Benny Green These Are Soulful Days (1999) Perfect Timing
Hagans/Belden Re-Animation:Live in Montreal (1999) Project Manager
Edmond Hall La Petite Fleur (2005) Mastering Engineer
Jim Hall/Geoff Keezer Duet At The Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Har Mar Tall Boy Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Stefon Harris A Cloud Of Red Dust (1998) Product Manager
Stefon Harris Black Action Figure (1999) Product Manager
Stefon Harris The Grand Unification Theory (2003) Product Manager
Barry Harris Vanguard’s 69th Birthday Celebration (2004) Recording Engineer
James Hurt Dark Grooves-Mystical Rhythms (1999) Product Manager
James Hurt Live At Sweet Basil’s – video (1999) Camera Operator
Todd Herbert Todd Herbert Quartet (1999) Producer
Todd Herbert Live At Smalls (2003) Mastering Engineer
Todd Herbert Path To Infinity (2007) Recording Engineer
JA.DE Competition (2005) Mastering Engineer
Richard Leo Johnson Language (2000) Product Manager
Norah Jones Come Away With Me (2002) Product Manager
Hank Jones Talented Touch/Porgy & Bess (2004) Sequencer
Rodney Jones J&R Music Festival – video (1999) Camera Operator
Rodney Jones Soul Manifesto (2001) Product Manager
Ronny Jordan A Brighter Day (2000) Product Manager
K-Dean Mixes (2005) Mastering Engineer
Earl King Come On: The Complete Imperial Recordings (2003) Mastering Engineer
K-OS Yes! Remix album (2009) Executive Producer
Harold Land Take Aim (2005) Mastering Engineer
John Legend If You’re Out There Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Milcho Leviev Multiple Personalities (2006) Sequencing
Little Grey Girlfriend Cells Planets (2008) Recording Engineer
Joe Lovano Nonet 52nd Street Themes (2000) Product Manager
Joe Lovano Viva Caruso (2002) Product Manager
Joe Lovano On This Day… (2003) Product Manager
Gary Lucas Live @ Bowery Poetry Club (2006) Mastering Engineer
Gary Lucas Live @ Bowery Poetry Club DVD (2006) Product Manager
Yo Yo Ma Dona Nobis Pacem Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Mahavishnu Project Live At The Bottom Line (2002) Recording Engineer
Marcy Playground Leaving Wonderland Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Matisyahu One Day Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Pat Martino Live At Yoshi’s (2001) Product Manager
Pat Martino Think Tank (2003) Product Manager
Bill McHenry Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Medeski Martin and Wood Tonic (2000) Project Manager
Mulgrew Miller Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Jason Moran Black Stars (2001) Product Manager
Jason Moran Modernistic (2002) Product Manager
Jason Moran The Bandwagon (2003) Product Manager
Roisin Murphy Momma’s Place Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Ray Nance Body And Soul (2006) Mastering Engineer
NASA The Spirit Of Apollo (2009) Executive Producer
Lewis Nash Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Baba Ola Jagun Nigerian Yoruba Drum Orch. (2004) Recording Engineer
Vickie Natalie I Know (2012) Actor
Greg Osby The Invisible Hand (2000) Project Manager
Greg Osby Symbols Of Light (2001) Product Manager
Greg Osby Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Greg Osby Inner Circle (2002) Product Manager
Greg Osby St. Louis Shoes (2003) Product Manager
Ominus Screaming To The Nations (1992) Electric Bass
Ozomatli 45 Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Passenger Passenger (2002) Electric Bass
Jack Patton Jack Patton Quintet (2000) Executive Producer
Jack Patton Sage (2000) Executive Producer
Jack Patton Don’t Go To Strangers (2003) Executive Producer
Jeremy Pelt Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Pieces of a Dream Ahead to the Past (1999) Project Manager
Pieces of a Dream Sensual Embrace (2002) Product Manager
Michael Pinto Prologue (2008) Recording Engineer
Lonnie Plaxico Emergence (1999) Product Manager
Lonnie Plaxico Melange (2001) Product Manager
Paul Quinichette Like Basie (2006) Mastering Engineer
Lou Rawls Pilgrim Travelers (2004) Mastering Engineer
RecKlez Yashie’s Revenge II (2005) Mastering Engineer
The Recovery EPK (2008) Mastering Engineer
Eric Reed Tribute To Fats Waller (2004) Recording Engineer
Logan Richardson Ethos (2008) Recording Engineer
Marcus Roberts Live At The Village Vanguard (2003) Recording Engineer
The Roots I Can’t Help It Remix (2008) Executive Producer
The Roots Criminal Remix (2008) Executive Producer
Renee Rosnes Life On Earth (2002) Product Manager
Gonzalo Rubalcaba Inner Voyage (1999) Product Manager
Gonzalo Rubalcaba Supernova (2001) Product Manager
The Sounds Beat Box (2009) Executive Producer
St. Germain Tourist (2000) Product Manager
Mark Shim Turbulent Flow (2000) Product Manager
Chris Smither Honeysuckle Dog (2004) Mastering Engineer
Snoop Dogg That Tree Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Martial Solal Live At The Village Vanguard (2001) Recording Engineer
Henri Salvador Room With A View (2002) Product Manager
ScoLoHoFo OH! (2003) Product Manager
Supergenerous Supergenerous (2000) Product Manager
Third Eye Blind URSA Major Remix (2009) Executive Producer
T-Pain Take Your Shirt Off Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Derek Trucks Band Get What You Deserve Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Team Jesus Live At NuJazzCity (2000) Electric Bass
Trio 65 Music Of Billy Strayhorn (2000) Mixing/Mastering Engineer
Erik Truffaz Revisite (2001) Product Manager
Erik Truffaz Mantis (2002) Dedication
Erik Truffaz Next Door (2003) Product Manager
Erik Truffaz Big Wheel Remix (2009) Executive Producer
Mark Turner Quartet Live At The Village Vanguard (2003) Recording Engineer
Chucho Valdes Live at the Village Vanguard (2000) Product Manager
Chucho Valdes Solo; Live In New York (2000) Project Manager
Chucho Valdes Fantasia Cubana (2002) Product Manager
Chucho Valdes New Conceptions(2003) Product Manager
Chucho Valdes Village Vanguard: LIVE! (2004) Recording Engineer
Bebo Valdes El Arte Del Sabor (2001) Product Manager
Various Artists Pure Cool (2000) Product Manager
Various Artists Upper Crust Crew (1993) Recording Engineer
Various Artists Veritas – Primum (2004) Executive Producer
Various Artists Veritas – Primum Vol. 2 (2005) Mastering Engineer
Various Artists Indaba – Cool Cuts from the Interweb (2008) Mastering Engineer
Various Artists Small Town Records (2009) Mastering Engineer
Various Artists Small Town Compilation (2010) Mastering Engineer
Vinyl Life Future Beat video (2008) Actor
Weezer Love Is The Answer Remix (2010) Executive Producer
Wild Magnolias Life is a Carnival (1999) Product Manger
World Class This Is World Class (2003) Electric Bass
Johnny Winter Hello Dali (2005) Mixing Engineer
Cedar Walton Live At The Village Vanguard (2004) Recording Engineer
Brandon Wright Summer Session (2001) Recording Engineer
Rick Wurzbacher With Joey DeFrancesco (2001) Electric Bass
Xzibit Hurt Locker Remix (2010) Executive Producer
DEFINITIVE SERIES (Verve and Blue Note Records):
Cannonball Adderley Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Chet Baker Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Clifford Brown Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Nat King Cole Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Stan Getz Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Joe Henderson Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Bud Powell Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
George Shearing Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Jimmy Smith Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Art Tatum Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
McCoy Tyner Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Sarah Vaughan Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Dinah Washington Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
Joe Williams Definitive Series (2002) Production Supervisor
YES!! Keep at it indaba
Can’t wait to see the outcome of the new site
Hi Guys, I just want to say thank you for all your hard work so far. I love the site, it has been great to be able to work with so many talented musicians. Thank you for enabling me to have the opportunity. I am having a BLAST ! I can’t wait to see what you have in store.
Many thanks
Shishoni x
wow you guys are like in an office and all that! ? lol teamwork ? wha..who needs help? the sign in the corner ‘send help’
so we are going to be astronauts now..in a mamaship? hel yea boieee!!! bring it on..~spills his coffee~
GRRRRREAT!!!!
i zoomed in to see the computer screens but no nuggets of spoilers.
Ha! And that’s only one corner of the office! We have about 15 other team members, a few conference rooms and a kitchen!
You might call it “mothership” but I think I will call it Mama. Now let’s see. Guess? Hmmm. I wonder what Mama is cooking in that kitchen you have? Ok. I’m guessing…let me think already.
Perhaps you will have more artists we can play with? :0 Out of the gutter please.
Oh I don’t know…..
But I would like to say something here:
For those of us musicians who were professionals at one time/or not; and are now at home disabled by disease or whatever (MS for me), this is the venue that I’ve been looking for!
We become locked in our homes and we cope the best we can. Lovers of music and making music are quite fortunate, because as I say on my blog site, “I am enabledd by my disabilities” and it’s a blessing really.
But writing music is one thing and it’s a safe place where we all get on our own babyships and wander through cyberspace without any specific direction or destination in mind; and continuously, the music flows around us and we follow the black and white staves to see where it may take us.
But now with “Mamaship” and with all the people involved with her development, we know we are not just floating around on random notes, falling ‘flat’ on our faces and making the wrong ‘sharp’ turns.
Indaba and “Mothership” gives me wings to fly and join other people who already have wings and make music, make friends, and learn from each other. We are in perfect harmony when we all huddle together to collab on a song.
Do you have any idea what this means to me? You are wonderful people and I humbly thank you from the bottom of my heart for hearing me crying over cyberspace searching and searching calling out for “MAMA”.
Oh gosh, I think I just made myself cry.
See ya.
Magdalena
me too (i cry)
I see you´re all hard at work.
Cool.
<3 you guys rock
looks like you guys need to do a clean up around the office…lol
My my my, you indaba guys should go into theater or film… the suspense build up is professional!!!!!! LoL… My bottom hurts from the edge of my seat
Wow. We should have all you guys collaborate on a song to commemorate our redesign! We’re working hard on it with love and respect for all the Indaba members!
-Cena (I’m the one with the papers falling off my desk.)
jeez I wondered why it noisy upstairs recently.
good to see some macs in there. The world runs on cruddy PCs but that’s all accounting and spreadsheets and crashes. Nice to see developers using macs like most studios do (music and art). Amongst my macs is an ibook that I’ve had for 3 years now. It has never ever crashed or frozen or anything. My main iMac has dropped Logic a couple of times in 2 years. Gotta love macs. The only thing that screws them up is crappy programming on the internet.
can’t touch PCs for games
been playing left for dead2 on me mac Hmmm. slow.
As exciting as I can be for the new Indaba, all I can really say is take as much time as you staffers need to have. The more time put into it, the better it will function.
Thanks to All of You for your Hard Work, Commitment and Vision. I Already think INDABA is setting a New Precident — I’ve been waiting for Years for this to Finally Truly Begin to Happen and be Viable via the WEB, and I think the technology had to Evolve to this Point and Level, and the masses had to get computers that were up to it as well. I think we are Really at the Beginning of something significant.
I would Love to switch over to a Mac (8 CorePro Mac, with tons of RAM), I’ve been thru 3 PCs, lost a lot of material, both music and art, and they are so problematic and crash all the time. One of these Days I will have the Studio I’ve always dreamed of. Keep up the great work, All! Peace