Neshama

About the Artist

Neshama's sound evolved from the compositions of Travis Bartow, the band's lead vocalist. Travis plays guitar, bouzouki, violin, and mandolin and has studied under Albany Concertmaster, Jill Levy. Soon, he and friend Johnny Newell (vocalist and guitarist), began writing songs together. Johnny has a B.A. in Music with emphasis in composition. The two were eventually joined by Isaac Bartow, who studied under renowned country back-up and studio musician Randy Rollman, and by Travis and Isaac's father, Bryan Bartow, who plays the djembe and serves as the groups mentor.

As the meaning of their name implies, Neshama is a breath of fresh air. "Neshama," the Hebrew word for "soul," is the word used to describe the life that God breathed into Adam in the Genesis creation story. It is this life and connectivity to God that Neshama strives to convey through music.