Bass. Cello. Drums. Guitar. Keyboard. Saxophone. Vocals. The Scheme. A group whose backgrounds are as diverse as the instruments they play, The Scheme is a brilliantly soulful and energetic addition to the urban music scene. Each musician—Abe Weiss, Conor Gleason, Dave Carlucci, Julia Hunt, Kevin Estwick, Omar Davis, and William Snowden—hails from a different spot on the globe, drawn together by a shared love of music, a respect for listening, and a desire to create. And New York City’s Harlem—famous for its fiery, artistic pulse—was the perfect breeding ground. Instruments tuned and lights dimmed, The Scheme is born. All seven write the music, and the result is a versatile and eclectic sound that touches upon all colors of the musical spectrum, from independent rock, to jazz, funk and blues. From Kevin’s revolutionary themed “The Very Last Sunset,” to Abe’s reflective “Restless,” The Scheme’s compositions inspire nostalgia for the days when it was all about the music—real, authentic, soul-stirring music. Image wasn’t everything. Since 2008, they have found support, inspiration, and an outlet for their collectively uncontainable energy. They play not because they want to, but because they have to. In a world as chaotic and unjust as this one, music is the only thing that makes sense to them. At first performing only for friends and family Uptown and in the Bronx, The Scheme soon took its music to bars like Bruar Falls and The Delancey, chic parties, and benefits—like the annual gala for the Bronx Defenders (a home to many band members in more ways than one)—throughout New York City. No matter the venue, crowds continually show love and support for The Scheme’s unique blend of styles. Their music jumps from the meditative and dark, to the explosive and joyous—each song an expansive and uplifting journey within itself. Almost two years later, The Scheme has performed nearly twice a month in over twenty venues around the city—from neighborhood watering holes like Orbit and Coquí Mexicano to celebrated music meccas like The Shrine—earning them a fan base that spans all five boroughs and the Tristate area at large. Despite braving the infamous cut-throat nature of these competitive New York streets, The Scheme seeks unity over division. Though all seven members come from different places— California, Connecticut, Ohio, and Wisconsin—their music speaks of oneness, freedom, and the importance of self-expression. Out of their individual separation, the members of The Scheme have come together to forge a collective sound that is as powerful as it is true to its individual parts. To hear The Scheme perform is to believe in the triumph of harmony over discord. This band’s journey has only just begun…