Threading
Composer-arranger-producer Oded Lev-Ari has crafted acclaimed albums by the likes of hit band 3 Cohens, clarinet icon Anat Cohen and woodwind sage Marty Ehrlich, as well as rising-star singers Amy Cervini, Melissa Stylianou and vocal trio Duchess. Now the Tel Aviv-born, New York-based Lev-Ari steps out with the first recording under his own name: Threading.
The album presents six inspired Lev-Ari compositions – instrumental and vocal – performed by an all-star 11-piece New York band that includes Anat Cohen and the ace Matt Wilson on drums, as well as guest vocalists Alan Hampton and Jo Lawry.
The chamber-jazz sound of Threading – which features not only winds, trumpet and a textured rhythm section but also three cellos – hints at varied sonic worlds, from jazz sound painters Gil Evans and Maria Schneider to tango nuevo king Astor Piazzolla and contemporary classical composers. Ultimately, though, Lev-Ari has his own, individual soundprint, one of cinematic richness and open-hearted lyricism.
Credits
- Anat Cohen – clarinet
- Will Vinson – alto sax, soprano sax
- Brian Landrus – bari sax, bass clarinet
- Nadje Noordhuis – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Alex Waterman – cello
- Yoed Nir – cello
- Noah Hoffeld – cello
- Oded Lev-Ari – piano
- Gilad Hekselman – guitar
- Joe Martin – bass
- Matt Wilson – drums
- Alan Hampton – voice (tracks 3, 7)
- Jo Lawry – voice (track 7)
- All compositions and lyrics by
- Oded Lev-Ari (Deddi Music, BMI), except Goodbye (tracks 3, 7) by Gordon Jenkins (Jenkins Family Partnership, ASCAP), arranged by Oded Lev-Ari
- Recorded by
- James Farber (Sear Sound, May 21–22, 2014)
- Mixed by
- James Farber (Sear Sound, June 18–19 and 21, 2014)
- Assistant Engineers
- Ted Tuthill, Chris Allen
- Mastered by
- Mark Wilder (Battery Studios, August 2014)
- Edited by
- Brian Montgomery
- Cover Photo by
- James Stenson
- Photo of Oded Lev-Ari by
- Shervin Lainez
- Packaging Design by
- Steve Skladany
- Produced by
- Oded Lev-Ari
Press
“Lev-Ari's impressive debut as a leader, Threading, will help change that … he's like a film director who casts himself in a supporting role in order to make the entire endeavor a gleaming success … His artistic ambition is admirable here … Lev-Ari is particularly adept at arranging pieces so that the energy builds and then retreats in intriguing ways, taking listeners on an emotional journey that leaves them longing to repeat the trip … features ominous cello strains, exciting time-signature shifts, dazzling clarinet riffs, delicate pianism, propulsive drumming and a surprising sonic dynamism … Lev-Ari has the talent and wisdom to recruit remarkable musicians … he has the vision to create a setting in which they can shine.”
— Bobby Reed, DownBeat
“one of the very best albums to hit the shelves that year.”
— Bandcamp Daily
Details
- Catalog Number
- ANZ-0052
- Released
- April 28, 2015
- Label
- Anzic Records
- Formats
- CD, WAV Download, MP3 Download
- CD UPC
- 896434001849
- MP3 Download UPC
- 896434001856
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