An interstellar musician exploring life in the cosmos.
Jill Avilez is a vocalist, poet, musician, artist and performer from Hollywood, California.
Jill Avilez is Mizz Absurd, Solo Bass Poet. Now located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this musician and student of John Hatton (Brian Setzer Orchestra) takes her inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Charles Mingus and her Philosophy books to create musical performance art self defined as Soul Scat Slap. Incorporating improv scat singing, spoken word and developing a percussive approach to Upright Bass has made her a unique solo act. Often compared to Amy Winehouse, Tom Waits and Lady GaGa with an experimental Jazzy Soul. Currently touring Nevada and California and working on a debut album release of “Where’s and Why’s.”
Avilez, a former stage actress, began her musical career as Bandleader/Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter/Arranger of Los Angeles Funk ensemble Jill Avilez and The Love Absurd. The Love Absurd quickly gained local support and acclaim for being an avant-garde female fronted act to hit the Sunset Strip and San Fernando Valley. Consisting regularly of 12 members, rhythm section, full horn section and back up singers presenting performance art dance music. Avilez, also a guitar student of Gemi Taylor (Graham Central Station/Mandrill) combined her love of Parliament Funkadelic, Sun Ra and Betty Davis into what fans nicknamed; Sci-Fi Jazz. The Love Absurd released their debut album ‘Infinite Possibilities’ in 2012, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Will Borza, DoubleHook Records. The Love Absurd played many stages between 2006-2013 including; The Whisky A Go Go, Avalon-Hollywood, On The Rox, House of Blues-Sunset Strip and The Long Beach Funk Festival.
The Los Angeles Funk Community introduced Jill to Norwood Fisher of Fishbone and in 2013 recruited her as back up singer in his band Trulio Disgracias. Jill regularly shared stages with members of George Clinton and the PFunk Allstars, Fishbone, Weapon of Choice, Slightly Stoopid, Suicidal Tendencies, Bad Brains and Joe Chambers/Chambers Brothers touring Northern and Southern California. Jill performed with Trulio Disgracias at many notable California venues; Harvelle’s Blues Club residency, The Mint, Moe’s Alley, Zodiacs and The Venice Beach Music Festival.
Jill is also “Saturn” of the Electro-Pop Duo Squid and Saturn with co-writer and Atlantic Records Producer/Engineer “Squid” Paul Ian Bailey. Squid and Saturn released 3 studio albums; Squid and Saturn (2013), Trinity (2014) and Freedom (2015) released through Fine Grit Music and recorded at Atlantic Records Hollywood and Sound Unit Studios Alhambra, California.
A regular among the local LA music scene, Jill also sang with BAMF/New Jax, Funktopus, The Atomic Sherpas, Phil Fiorio Trio, Nigel Walsh and His Band, P L a N E T S, Permeate, Grim & Squid and several different Jazz Combos.
Jill became Mizz Absurd in December 2013. Humble Sunday brunch beginning at Lot 1 in Echo Park, California, Jill didn’t expect her Solo Bass project to get such an overwhelming response. Quickly gained momentum performing all over Los Angeles; Bar Lubitsch, Harvelle’s Blues Club, Silverlake Lounge, The Satellite, Rafas Lounge, Kibitz Room, O’Brien’s and a residency at Bar One in North Hollywood. Mizz Absurd featured at The Big Horn Music Festival in Mt. Baldy in 2014 and opened for That 1 Guy at The Mint in 2015.
Mizz Absurd made the move to Las Vegas in May 2015 and was instantly immersed in the local music scene. Starting at Saddle N Spurs Saloon and by the second week in Vegas was featured at House of Blues Mandalay Bay. Mizz Absurd met Lee Mallory at Silver Sevens Casino, Sevens Live Open Mic and have collaborated on many shows.
By the second month in Vegas, Mizz Absurd was featured along with Lee Mallory and Philena Carter in the Las Vegas Review Journal print and online publications for their show ‘Funky Love’ at Double Down Saloon. Since then Mizz Absurd also performed at The LINQ Promenade, Beauty Bar, The Beat Coffeehouse, The Griffin, Stand Up and Tease at Inspire Theater, Las Vegas Country Saloon, Hard Rock Cafe, Pioneer Saloon, Velveteen Rabbit, Human Experience, Baobab Theater and a regular at First Friday and Silver Sevens Casino. Being new in Las Vegas but already considered a heavy hitter, Y.A. Poet included her in events as one of his “Las Vegas All Stars” and a featured musician in his documentary ‘Straight Outta Vegas. Mizz Absurd has been a guest on local Las Vegas Radio; Double Down Radio, The Rocking Comedy Show, Geeks R Sexy/WCOBM, and The Downtown Podcast.
In February 2016, Mizz Absurd released a follow up single and debut music video for “Some Other Lover.” Audio recorded by Anthony Wilson, Bright Legacy Entertainment. Music video by Carla Sutton, Rock Dollar Productions.
Mizz Absurd completed her first tour in September/October 2016 in New York City. 9 shows in 14 days from Harlem to Brooklyn, playing iconic venues like The Bowery Electric, Groove and Ottos Shrunken Head. Legendary NYC cult figure and music booker, Frank Wood helped feature her at Ottos Shrunken Head and The Black Rose, which in a short time made her a favorite in The East Village.
Currently, Mizz Absurd is home in Las Vegas performing regularly at Artisan Boutique Hotel and Double Down Saloon. Still working on completing her album and poetry book for “Where’s & Why’s” as well as more than enough material for a second album. Mizz Absurd has long term goals of getting on the road, returning to NYC, performing abroad and writing her own Variety Show. Stay tuned for future versions.