Something resonated with me when I listened to this album. I recalled a TV interview that the legendary drummer Buddy Rich gave to Larry King back in the 1980’s. The conversation turned to classical music and King asked Rich if he had ever played with a symphony orchestra. Rich replied that he had indeed played with a number of orchestras from around the world. He loved the experience and went further to describe it as “a completely different feeling altogether.” Read Review
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Arik Strauss has released his fourth CD “Mostaly Balads” on Dot Time Records in December 2012.
“Mostly Ballads” is the fourth CD from pianist, composer and arranger Arik Strauss and his debut on Dot Time Records. Arik has performed throughout the USA, Japan and Europe with musicians including, among others, Ron McClure, Akira Tana, Shonzo Ono, Montigo Joe and Mercer Elington. Arik has returned since to Israel and in 2010 was granted an artist in residence scholarship by Israel’s Ministry of Culture and Sport for a six month residency at the Paris Cité Internationale des Arts. As an educator, Arik initiated a jazz program at the Givaataim Conservatory and holds a teaching post there. “Mostly Ballads” is a classic jazz piano trio recording featuring Tal Ronen (contrabass) and Dudu Kochav (drums) and features ten of Arik’s original compositions.
In the liner notes Arik stated that “A piano trio recording is something that I’ve had on my ‘to do list’ for some years now, a goal which I have finally had the opportunity to realize.” Production of the CD was made possible through the support of ACUM’s social and promotion fund. The repertoire recorded on this CD mostly stems from Arik’s time in Paris in 2010, inspired by Arik’s long lasting mentors J.S. Bach, Chopin, Bill Evans and Jack Reilly. “Mostly Ballads” is a CD full of surprises, a true journey through the varied influences of this very talented pianist.
[soundcloud]http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/72838143[/soundcloud]
[soundcloud]http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/72850663[/soundcloud]
[soundcloud]http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/72851158[/soundcloud]
Arik Strauss, Piano | Tal Ronen, Bass | Dudu Kochav, Drums
Dot Time Records DT9015 | Release 2012
Pianist Arik Straus has released his fourth CD titled “Mostly Ballads” featuring Tal Ronen on Bass and Dudu Kochav on Drums in December 2012. Production of the CD was made possible through the support of ACUM’s social and promotion fund.
Now based in Israel, Arik spent 12 years in New York, where he worked with top musicians including, among others, Ron McClure, Akira Tana and Mercer Ellington. Many of the works on this CD were composed during a six month stay in Paris where Arik was Artist in Residence at the Cité Internationale des Arts.
[soundcloud]http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/72838143[/soundcloud]
[soundcloud]http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/72850663[/soundcloud]
[soundcloud]http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/72851158[/soundcloud]
Tracks:
A solo recording presenting piano mastering in piano and vocal works.
Tracks:
1. Spring Waltz – (Arik Strauss)
2. Mode Ani (I Thank Thee Lord) – (Arik Strauss; Lyrics: from the Jewish morning prayer)
3. Madly Jazz: a Jazz Medley – (Arik Strauss)
4. A Homage to Bill Evans – (Arik Strauss based on the changes of Funnyman)
5. A Walking Woman – (Arik Strauss; Lyrics: Lea Goldberg)
6. Moonlight in Vermont – (Karl Suessdorf)
7. Après un Rêve – (Gabriel Fauré)