Paul Simon, Cher, Tracy Chapman,
Michigan, brothers Mark and Lee
Lou Reed, Duran Duran, Marshall
Swidler, who have visited the bassist in
Crenshaw, Natalie Cole, Dean
his home city of Woodstock, N.Y.
Friedman, Art Garfunkel, Janis Ian,
'A unique point in our relationship
Liza Minnelli, Carly Simon and more.
was when I asked them to experience
"I have a very good time playing
our local synagogue, and they went to
along with any kind of music," says
High Holy Day services with me,"
Levin, who started out with piano
Levin says. "Our rabbi came into a
lessons and is not quite sure why he
community with a wide range of peo-
was attracted to the bass at age 9. "I've
ple who wanted to observe holidays,
been happiest when I found myself
and they formed a synagogue that
playing progressive rock."
would allow for almost any kind of
Levin feels very lucky that his parents
observance.
encouraged his musical interests, partic-
"When we have High Holy Day
ularly when he decided to enroll in the
services, we have people in jeans and
Eastman School of Music in Rochester,
T-shirts without yarmulkes and others
N.Y., where he performed with the
in robes. This year, I'm going to ask if
Rochester Philharmonic. At age 20, the
I can play Kol Nidre on the cello."
bassist decided to switch out of the clas-
Levin lives part of the year in New
sics and look for opportunities in New
York City, where his wife, Andi, works
York, where he tried performing with
for a record company. His daughter,
different bands and found work as a
studio musician for dozens upon
dozens of albums.
"I started composing in college,•
but because I've always been a
member of a group or played on
somebody else's album, I didn't
have any outlet for those composi-
tions until I started my own label,
Papa Bear Records," Levin
explains.
"For the first couple of albums,
I relied on earlier composing.
Afterward, I made up new things
for each album. Ironically, for the
new CD, I've gone back to some of
the fragments of pieces I wrote as
classical-based sonatas.
Levin's new CD is titled "Waters of Eden':•
"I would describe the CD as somewhat
"I would describe the Waters of
earthy instrumental and very melodic,"
Eden CD as somewhat earthy
says the musician.
instrumental and very melodic.
The bass takes the lead some of the
time, and the tracks become eclectic
Maggie, 15, from his first marriage, is
with roots in classical and world
home schooled so that dividing her
music."
time between his household and her
Levin's brother, Pete, a pianist-com-
mother's in Florida does not become
poser-arranger, joined the CD for a
disruptive academically.
duet in honor of their mother, "Belle."
"When I'm not working, my
Pete had invited Tony to perform on his
favorite thing is to stay home," Levin
holiday recordings with Chanuka songs.
says. "I avoid concerts and crowds. The
"Even though I play music, I have a
few times that I have gone out were for
lot of interest in other arts, and I'm
very special operas, and I'm trying to
always taking photographs on the
get tickets for the opera Nixon in
road," says Levin, who put together a
China, which will be performed in
group of images for his book, Road
New York next December." ❑
Photos. "I made enlargements, and
they've traveled around the world to
Tony Levin will perform at
be part of exhibits."
8 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at 7th
His book Beyond the Bass Clef The
House,
7 N. Saginaw, in Pontiac.
Life and Art of Bass Playing now is
Tickets
are $20 advance/$23 day
available in major bookstores. It fea-
of the show. (248) 335-8100.
tures performance anecdotes and
His CD is available through Papa
advice to musicians.
Bear Records, (800) 688-2227
Somewhere along his tour route,
or www.papabear.com .
Levin met and became friendly with
two King Crimson fans from

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