Flo Anito: Bio

Flo Anito - Singer/Songwriter/Piano/Guitar

Flo Anito

Classically trained in voice, piano, and 'cello, Flo Anito began her singer/songwriter career at age 16 when she got her hands on her first guitar. Already rewarded for her musicality with All-State recognition and roles in Summer-stock theatre, songwriting came naturally to this young talent who has quickly proven herself a prolific writer of thought provoking jazzy pop songs in the vein of Fiona Apple, Jewel, Ani Difranco, and Nellie McKay.

Since graduating from Wesleyan University with a BA in Music, Flo has made Washington DC her home. She has opened for Eli Matthson (America's Got Talent) and Emi Meyer at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, has played Celebrate Fairfax (headliners included Joan Jett, Blues Traveler, and Ok Go), opened for Theresa Andersson, a Swedish musician featured in 'Rolling Stone', at DC9, and played with Rosi Golan at Bloombars. Flo heads the local chapter of Just Plain Folks, an international music networking organization and has performed and sold out of her debut cd in venues across New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.

The last two years have proven to be a whirlwind for Flo. She shot a music video for her song Uh Oh which won the Grand Prize on OurStage.com! The same song was one of 5 finalists in a Cosmo Radio contest, winning her an interview and airplay on Sirius Radio. After a live audition, she was selected for the Artist Roster at the world renowned Strathmore Music Hall where she performed with her band in 2012. Flo was the only DC based musician selected to play Merriweather Post Pavilion as part of the Virgin Mobile Free Fest's Busking Brigade, where she joined an impressive bill: Weezer, Blink 182, the Bravery, and Franz Ferdinand. She was selected for a CMJ showcase in NYC, a GAP campaign in Charlottesville, and a feature video on the website for the National Association of Broadcasting. She has played for the Secretary of the Interior, performed at the National Press Club, and sung the National Anthem at a Washington Freedom game. She was also nominated for two 2012 Wammy Awards - Best Pop/Rock Vocalist and Best Music Video.

Flo's new album, "No Dustbunnies", recorded with Chris Keup (O.A.R., Erin McKeown), Stewart Meyers (Lifehouse), and Brian Jones (Dave Matthews Band, Mandy Moore), has been a best seller on both CDbaby and Digstation and is getting radio play in NY, CT, and the DC metro area. This exciting new record along with her lively performance style, powerful voice, and candid lyrics make her a force to be reckoned with so... look out!

Brian Waitzman - bass

Brian is a recent graduate of Goddard College, with a BA in Music. Brian is also a certified recording engineer and graduate of The Omega Studios School of Recording Arts and Sciences.

His first private teacher was Barry Bennedette, a veteran of the heavy metal scene who has toured with Ozzy, Motley Crue and Cinderella. Barry was Brian's first major musical influence and even sold Brian his blonde Stratocaster. Recently Brian has studied with Jake Scheffer, a jazz guitarist who toured with Lonnie Liston Smith and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Brian has lent his talents to bands such as Odyssey, Denise Henderson and the 360 Band, The Steamers, The D.C. Express, Nick Dastardly, and The Mock 3 and has sat in with one of his favorite bands, Fishbone. In addition to playing with Flo Anito, Brian currently plays with the Fishermen Band and the Music Men.

Jeff Goodwin - drums

Jeff Goodwin got his start playing drums in the marching band and quickly found himself playing all over the DMV. He's played with the university of Maryland, George Mason university and graced the stage at Dar constitution hall. Influences range from hip hop to raggae, go go to r & b, jazz and blues. In addition to playing with Flo anito, recent projects have included the Fishermen Band and the Music Men.