HUDSON'S PROJECT IMAGINE PRESENTS:
Swing Into Summer
Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari joins
the Jeff Haas Trio Friends in an evening
of new compositions and jazz classics.
Laugh a lot and cry
a little at these six
moments in time
that changed lives
at Lincoln Center in New York and the
Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.,
as well as on TV's Weekend Today show
on NBC.
iri Ben-Ari met the love
of her life — jazz — in
Ben-Ari and Haas connected after an
the Israel Defense Forces.
article about the violinist appeared in
Downbeat magazine. Leaving the pro- -
A classical violinist until
then, she was introduced to a Charlie
gram up to Haas, Ben-Ari will find five
Parker recording by a friend and has
new compositions he wrote especially
remained true to the American-born art
for these concerts and eight of his older
form ever since.
tunes arranged specifi-
After her military
cally for these perfor-
service was complet-
mances.
ed, Ben-Ari followed
The concert will
her heart to New
include music from his
York and began for-
HaGesher Chai ("The
mal jazz studies at the
Bridge Lives") and L'Dor
Mannes School of
VaDor ("Generation to
Music in 1993. She
Generation") pieces.
liked the new direc-
Blending Jewish and
tion although appreci-
African American musi-
ating her more con-
cal traditions with con-
servative studies,
temporary jazz, Haas
which included mas-
also will include new
ter classes with Yehudi
arrangements of jazz
Menuhin and Isaac
classics by Thelonious
Stern.
Monk, Duke Ellington
Miri Ben-Ari:
Ben-Ari's style,
and Irving Berlin.
"Bn a jazz frea k."
which mixes
Ben-Ari, also a corn-
Mideastern sounds
_
poser, has recorded two
with all sorts of world music, caught on
CDs to showcase her songs. Sahara is
in small clubs, and she has performed
out already, and Live at the Blue Note
with her musical heroes, including the
should be out this year. She uses peace
late Betty Carter, the Santi Debriano
as a recurring theme.
Band, Wynton Marsalis and Luther
"I'm corning out with a recording of
Vandross, who booked the Israeli-bred
original Jewish songs, and it will include
violinist for a Pine Knob concert.
famous religious singers," Ben-Ari says.
Soon, Ben-Ari returns to Michigan
"I always believe that we should be
for more intimate engagements with
proud of who we are and take our back-
local jazz artists the Jeff Haas Trio &
ground experience and turn it into
Marcus Belgrave. They will be at the
something really good. Whatever the
Ark in Ann Arbor on May 25 and at
background, it should be channeled
the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse
into the work. I just hope to make as
City on May 27. With a grant from the
many people as I can happy and peace-
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
• ful through my art." ❑
Detroit Education Forum, they will be
going into schools.
"I'm a jazz freak, and I'm so focused
Miri Ben-Ari will perform with
that it seems like that's all that matters
the Jeff Haas Trio & Friends and
to me right now," says Ben-Ari, 27,
Marcus Belgrave 8 p.m. Thursday,
who performed in the pit orchestra for
May 25, at the Ark in Ann Arbor.
Broadway shows before restricting her
$15. (734) 763-8587. They also
time to jazz. "Because I'm an Israeli, I'm
will perform 8 p.m. Saturday,
open to new things, and I'm very
May 27, at the Dennos Museum
involved with urban music. I was good
Center in Traverse City. $18.
in classical, but it wasn't my voice."
(231) 922-1553.
The violinist's voice has been heard
SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News
Previews:
Sponsored By:
JN
Kitty Dubin •
May 24 - 28 •
MASCO
TheSkillman
FOUNDATION
Directed by
Geoffrey Sherman
Performances:
May 28 - June 25
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