(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- On Friday, November 25 from 7:00pm-9:00pm, art629 gallery, home of the Asbury Underground, is bringing music and art together again with special performances by Martin Howth, Kuf Knotz, and Christine Elise. Gallery owner/founder Patrick Schiavino and his partner, art629's event coordinator, Brittany James, will have their art on display and for sale including some new works made in the last few months.

There is a $10 suggested donation to attend this event which is open to the public. 

Martin Howth is a solo looping project of jazz vocalist, Audra Mariel (of Audra Mariel & A Real Human Jazz Band). All loops are generated live, without the use of tracks, nor digital effects; varied sound is achieved solely through manipulation of the human voice. The music has been described as ethereal, even meditative, but also features catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics. Martin Howth’s debut album, The Wayward Warbler was released in December 2018, and is available on all digital platforms, and CD. The second release, The Flurmannerys Present: A Howth Concert, is a live recording made in spring 2019, and is available on BandCamp and CD.

Kuf Knotz was named Philadelphia Magazine's Best Rapper of 2022. Kuf blends hip-hop poetry with deep grooves of soul, and beats sun kissed with the spirit of Lo-Fi & 90's era vibes. Kuf’s inimitable style focuses on unsubtle spirituality, unity, positivity and creativity. In 2008, the same year he opened for Bruce Springsteen, Kuf sang lead vocals on “Unstoppable,” a song created to mark the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series.  In 2010, Kuf recorded “Boombox Logic,” which was named the year’s best hip hop song by the Independent Music Awards. His next venture, 2015’s  "A Positive Light,” reflected his carefully forged fusion of music styles. Kuf has opened for The Roots, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Common, Wyclef Jean, The Wailers, Arrested Development, Josh Ritter, Robert Glasper, Robert Randolph, G-Love and others. His most creatively ambitious collaboration is with Christine Elise with whom Kuf recorded three albums. 

Christine Elise is classically trained harpist, pianist, and vocalist who has been consecutively touring across North America for the past four years. Studying music therapy at a masters level led her to find a passion for community music therapy. Christine has facilitated group sessions and workshops for professionals and clients in the USA, South Africa, Peru and Jamaica. She has presented at national, regional, and world music therapy conferences and written scholarly articles published by Music Therapy Perspectives. She has provided clinical supervision for undergraduate and graduate students at MusicWorks, Jamaica Field Service Project, Women's & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY, Warren Wilson College, and Immaculata University.  She taught as an adjunct professor for the music therapy department of Immaculata University College of Graduate Studies and Boyer College of Music and Dance of Temple University for several undergraduate and graduate level classes. Christine has composed for various organizations and institutions. ​

Kuf and Christine also founded a community music therapy outreach performance project called Higher Grounds Music, using the power of music, clinical training, and performance experience to foster personal growth around the world, from South Africa to Alaska. 

Patrick Schiavino is a self-taught artist, native of New Jersey, and graduate of Montclair State College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts and Design. He has spent most of his life working in the arts and music businesses.

In year 2000, he purchased the building at 629 Cookman Avenue which is now art629 Gallery.  The building serves as both a gallery, studio, and home where he lives and works with his artist/partner Brittany James. Patrick is also the founder of Asbury Underground which he started in 2013.  Asbury Underground is a major festival held in the downtown business district of Asbury Park every October and January.  

"My Corona" by Patrick Schiavino. Oil on Canvas 36" x 48"

Brittany James is an artist, art teacher, and curator at art629. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA degree concentrated in oil painting in 2009 and has been a full-time artist ever since. She currently lives and works in Asbury Park with her partner Patrick Schiavino. Her paintings are of mostly surreal images, inspired by the relationships between women in nature and society.

Brittany teaches life drawing classes for adults at art629 Gallery on Monday nights and runs an open studio for local artists on Saturday mornings. She also teaches art classes for children and teens at Inspired Minds Fine Art School in Lincroft.  

"A Still Life of Time" by Brittany James. Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"

art629 Gallery was founded by artist Patrick Schiavino in 2009.  The gallery is located at 629 Cookman Avenue, in the heart of downtown Asbury Park, and has been host of many shows including painting, photography, sculpture, theater, spoken word, and musical events like the Asbury Underground. The gallery is dedicated to the exhibition of fine and contemporary art with the objective of giving all artists a voice while bringing new ideas to the region.