An Embarrassment of Riches

Just got my copy of DownBeat magazine's February issue, and in it, lots of stuff to be happy about.

I was interviewed about my work as a producer by Michael Gallant -  you can find the interview on pages 98-99. There are also reviews of two albums I co-produced: Marty Ehrlich's A Trumpet In The Morning and the 3 Cohens' Tightrope - both very favorably reviewed.

Speaking to Michael about my work as a producer was an interesting experience. It gave me a chance to formulate my thoughts about my approach and attitude, and seeing my thoughts in print brought about another chance for contemplation and refinement. Perhaps it is time to start a journal?

Check it out at a newsstand near you, or online.

Noir Live at the Jazz Standard

We will be celebrating the release of Noir – featuring Anat Cohenand the Anzic Orchestra on May 8th at the Jazz Standard. It’s a rare opportunity to hear the music live, with an all-star band. I will be conducting my arrangements.

Here are the details:

When: May 8th, 7:30pm and 9:30pm
Where: The Jazz Standard , 116 East 27th Street New York City
Who: Anat Cohen and the Anzic Orchestra, Arranged and Conducted by Oded Lev-Ari
What: Playing music from Noir , their recently released album on Anzic Records
Cover: $20 + tax

For reservations (and they are going fast!) please call the Jazz Standard: 212-576-2232 or visit them online.

My Dad

My father was recently interviewed on the Israeli radio station 103FM, and oddly enough, I was the subject of the interview, as well as my lovely wife Amy Cervini. It was both strange and exciting listening to the live broadcast in my New York apartment.

Here is a recording of the interview by Rivka Michaeli, for your listening pleasure. It features selections from Noir as well as a song I wrote, performed by Amy on her CD Famous Blue

(If you don’t speak hebrew, he says really nice things about me):

Anzic Store

Anzic Records is growing and expanding! most recently, the Anzic Store was opened online. You can get Noir there, as well as some other exciting new releases from Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen, Jason Lindner, Joel Frahm, Manuel Valera and the Waverly Seven.

Also, the store features a very cool audio player, which allows you to sample the releases in style.

Take a look! It’s the best place to get Noir

Bikel's In My Own Lifetime is out

You can now purchase Theodore Bikel’s latest release In My Own Lifetime: 12 Musical Theater Classics on CDBaby. It features 12 of my arrangements.

Anzic Orchestra at the Village Vanguard - July 2nd

Anat Cohen and the Anzic Orchestra will be performing at the Village Vanguard on Monday, July 2nd.

Monday Nights at the Village Vanguard usually feature the Vanguard Orchestra, which used to be called the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra. I heard about Monday Nights at the Vanguard growing up in Israel, and many of the resident musicians became my personal heroes. It’s a great thrill for me to be leading a band there, on Monday night, with my friend Anat Cohen.

So – please come and share our excitement! and if you can’t – be sure to catch Anat at the Village Vanguard July 3-8.

Here are the details:

Where: The Village Vanguard – 178 7th Ave, New York, NY
When: Monday, July 2
What: Anat Cohen with the Anzic Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Oded Lev-Ari
Tickets: $30.00 at http://www.villagevanguard.com/

Arrangements for Theodore Bikel in Poland

I was commissioned to write 7 arrangements for Theodore Bikel's performances with the Mostar Sinfonietta orchestra conducted by Tamara Brooks at the Jewish Festival in Poland. I am very excited to work with Tamara again, and thrilled to work with Theo.

Arrangements for a Theodore Bikel CD

I finished 12 arrangements of broadway tunes for an upcoming release by Theodore Bikel. I got to work on some broadway classics and one of my favorite songs, Brel’s La chanson des vieux amants [I first heard it sung in Hebrew by Yossi Banai – my friend Anat recorded it recently for an upcoming album]. Also on the album are two songs by Kurt Weill, some Fiddler on the Roof, and other broadway favorites.

A Bridge To Peace - Did you see it?

From the press release:

A Bridge To Peace is a documentary chronicling the remarkable concert tour in 2005 of Theodore Bikel, stage and screen legend, and other musicians from the Mostar Sinfonietta orchestra, an ensemble of Christian and Muslim survivors of the war in Bosnia,
on a powerfully symbolic concert tour of Poland where they discuss their European cultural roots and reflect on performing in Poland 60 years after WWII and 10 years after the war in Bosnia.

I wrote some arrangements for these performances – I haven’t seen the film yet but would love to hear from anyone who has.