With A Twist is Michael Gill's new multi-faceted musical ensemble that specializes in weddings, corporate parties, and special events. The group's repertoire encompasses many styles and spans many generations. The band is equally at home playing high-energy dance music, soulful R&B dance hits, and big band tunes from the Glenn Miller/Duke Ellington era.

Michael's other band, Shtetlblasters, combines With A Twist's repertoire with traditional Jewish music. The Shtetlblasters sprinkle the Motown sound into "Hava Nagila." The band members, all of whom sing, are Michael Gill (keyboards and woodwinds), Achi Ben Shalom (acoustic guitar), Rick Ellis (lead vocal and percussion). Callie Thomas (lead vocal), Dan Petruzzella (electric guitar), Kim Hart-Poindexter (bass guitar), Brad McKeague (drums and percussion), and Jan Padover (Middle Eastern and Latin percussion). Together, they add texture and just the right pitch to every piece.

Both bands can play several styles of music during your event, from traditional or contemporary music for the ceremony, to jazz music for cocktails, to authentic Israeli folk dance with instruction or a rocking party band for the reception.

Performing since 1990, the Shtetlblasters are great at "reading the room" and transition easily from leading guests in Israeli folk dancing to playing "easy listening" so that people are comfortable conversing during dinner. They compose some of their own songs and welcome the opportunity to learn special music for the bride and groom's first dance. One of the many times I worked with them, they surprised the entire room by serenading the bride and groom a cappella with "Always in Love," a special song composed by the band. A client commented, "Their high-energy renditions of Big Band tunes and popular dance hits are contagious."