Meet In Layman Terms

In Layman Terms is nationally acclaimed act that has performed all over the United States as a sibling duo, and a full band. Their unique and diverse sound ranges from gritty, foot-stomping acoustic work to that of an electrified big band with Americana undertones, funk, and a hint of modern flair. Their compelling, content-filled original music has had airplay worldwide, has ranked nationally on the charts, and has had rave reviews by reputable musicians and reviewers. Cole Layman, Logan Layman, Hamed Barbarji, and Collin Hopkins are all distinguished, experienced, and extremely versatile multi-instrumentalists in their own right. You want this band at your venue!

The band release their sophomore album, "Strong Roots,” in November 2018.  In Layman Terms’ debut album "Tangled," was released in 2016.  Both Strong Roots and Tangled have received rave reviews, as well as airplay on radio stations all over the country and internationally. 

Below are some of the fantastic reviews for Strong Roots:

“With its NOLA flavored funk and soulful rocking blues ‘Strong Roots’ by In Layman Terms is strong medicine for the soul indeed. Logan Layman’s vocals belie her tender years, and Cole Layman’s guitar lines add passion and intensity with every note. Hamed Barbarji’s trumpet lifts the music up. Nick Davidson on drums joins Logan on bass to form a groove engine that is tight and tenacious. ‘Strong Roots’ is definitely a contender for Album of the Year.” 
- Barry Kerzner, Music Journalist 

“This young woman is a serious bassist with immense blues sensibility, along with a sultry retro-flavored voice with a hint of sandpaper that is irresistible. On top of that, creative songwriting and production, groove-heavy rhythm section work and fantastic performances from the whole ensemble establish In Layman’s Terms as one of the coolest music projects in modern blues.” 
-Polly O' Keary Recording Artist/Bassist/Singer 

“As the full of grace suspended step of the stork, Cole & Logan Layman (In Layman Terms) give a sound as gritty, traditional with modern twists - this music comes straight from their souls! A melting point of blues, jazz, funk, R&B with feeling coming from all over decades. The fresh beauty of faces, mind and soul reflected in music. We're really lucky, because the music world nowadays has Cole & Logan, I hope and wish to one day the band inspire more people to make a difference in the Blues world. I'm optimist again..." 
-Michael Limnios Journalist, Europe - Mexico - USA 

"It’s been a real personal treat to see the Layman siblings blossom and evolve musically through the years, but the addition of Hamed Barbarji (2015) and Nick Davidson (2017) to In Layman Terms was brilliant. With their combined talents, this tightly grooved team has put out one of this year’s most unique and refreshing CDs. STRONG ROOTS is not your typical blues CD. There are 7 original songs and a powerful cover of “Fever”, with the majority of tracks written by Logan Layman, with assistance from other band members. Every song is “radio ready”, providing a real challenge to radio programmers to select a single tune to highlight! This CD treats the listener with lots of blues, blues rock, jazz, and infused funk that proves this band is a musical force to be reckoned with… and continually listened to!" 
-Dave “BluzNdaBlood” Harrison, The BluzNdaBlood Show

The band may be young, but they are experienced and they are not strangers to accolades. The siblings have performed Nationally as a duo, and Hamed is a National and International performer. Collin has played with various big bands, small jazz ensembles, and percussion ensembles where he has specialized in a variety of genres.  Logan was named Veer Magazine's Emerging Artist of the Year in 2015. She was the Sea Level Singer/Songwriter’s Emerging Artist of the year in 2014. In 2013, she was named "Blues Kid of the Year." Logan endorses Ernie Ball Music Man basses, and was featured in Bass Player magazine in 2016. Cole endorses Steve Clayton custom guitar pics. Cole and Logan both endorse Farmer Foot Drums. Cole and Logan are proud inductees into The Brotherhood of the Guitar, an elite group of young guitarists from all over the world. They appeared together in the August, 2014 issue of Guitar Player Magazine. 

 

Cole Layman

Cole studied at Berklee College of Music. Cole is passionate about the blues but has diverse musical taste. Cole endorses Steve Clayton custom guitar pics and Farmer Foot Drums. He is a proud inductee into The Brotherhood of the Guitar, an elite group of young guitarists from all over the world. Cole has had the honor of judging at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN for two consecutive years. He recently moved to Nashville, TN with his sister, Logan to pursue a full time music career.

Logan Layman

Logan recently graduated from Indiana University where she studied at both the School of Psychology and Jacob's School of Music. Logan was named Veer Magazine's Emerging Artist of the Year in 2015. She was the Sea Level Singer/Songwriter’s Emerging Artist of the year in 2014. In 2013, she was named "Blues Kid of the Year." Logan endorses Ernie Ball Music Man basses and was featured in Bass Player magazine in 2016. Logan endorses Farmer Foot Drums. She is a proud inductee into The Brotherhood of the Guitar, an elite group of young guitarists from all over the world. Logan has had the honor of judging at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN for two consecutive years. With her college studies behind her, Logan and Cole just made the move to Nashville to pursue a full-time music career.

 

Hamed Barbarji

Hamed Barbarji graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was a student of Rex Richardson and Bryan Strawley, Hamed has also studied classical and jazz trumpet with Chris Gekker, Taylor Barnett, David Vonderheide, and Paul Bhasin. In 2015, Hamed attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, studying under world–renowned trumpet soloist Terry Everson. In 2017, Hamed was a soloist with the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphony Orchestra, competed as a semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Competition in Denver, Colorado, performed at the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia, the Teatro Adolfo Mejia in Cartagena, Columbia, the MontreauxJazz Festival in Switzerland, and the Ponte Vecchio, Arno River, and the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy. He was recently a soloist with the Universidad De Cartagena at the Teatro Pepe Vibes Campo in Santa Marta, Colombia. Hamed is the leader of the “Hamed Barbarji Quartet,” a jazz combo that plays regularly in the Richmond and Hampton Roads area and is a frequent sub with professional orchestras in Virginia, including the Williamsburg Symphony and the Richmond Symphony. This summer, he will continue to play with such groups, as well as play West Side Story at the Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond, VA and perform with his nationally-acclaimed blues band “In Layman Terms.” Hamed has been a member of ILT since 2015!