Corporate Woods Drive influenced by jazz and blues

By Wes Host
Teen correspondent

Corporate Woods Drive began two years ago when three, frizzy-haired high schoolers began to play together. They are brothers Jay, 16, guitar and vocals, and Willie Einhorn, 18, bass, and Jacob Snyder, 15, guitar.

Zach Wang 15, was added as a keyboardist and, after the departure of drummer Daniel Karp, Neal Friedman 17, the Einhorns’ cousin filled the gap. All are students at Maury High School in Norfolk except Jacob who attends Norfolk Collegiate.

This group of guys really isn’t your average high school band. They do not rehearse in a garage but in what looks like a small recording studio in the Einhorns’ Ghent house, scattered with sound boards and cords that cover the beige carpet. Listening to them, you won’t hear distorted guitars and thrashing drums, rather blues guitar solos and delicate drum rhythms.

These guys do not worship rock idols like Led Zeppelin or Van Halen. It’s all about jazz and blues greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King.

Blues, funk and rock encompass Corporate Woods Drive. Lyrics are mellow and smooth added with a classic blues voice by Jay. The band’s “solo-a-song” approach guarantees plenty of screaming guitar for all to hear.

Other musical influences include: Booker T. and the M.G.’s, John Bonamassa and Cream. The street Corporate Woods Drive was the place where Jay, Willie and Jacob went to school and is near where they performed their first gig. From there, they have played at The NorVa in Norfolk several times as well as the Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach and the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in Norfolk.

The band also prides itself on performing at many charity events.

Wes Host, a junior at Norfolk Collegiate, whost26@hotmail.com