On November 19th I'll perform a mini solo set exploring Frederik Chopin's music, at the Polish Jazz Festival in Tel Aviv.
I have been working on the music and getting so inspired…
As a child and throughout my teenage years, I explored his music deeply, and also learned how to play it directly from my grandmother, who was a pianist and a Chopenist.
For me, to come back to this music years later, as a composer and a jazz musician, is very moving.
Conversing with this great poet brings me much joy these days, and I will definitely post more about it during November.
Scroll left for the flyer and if you are around, come!
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playing around with some of my childhood inspirations.
who recognizes this piece's origin? π
next month live in Tel Aviv.
finished the first draft of the new soundtrack I've been working on πΆ so thrilled to be doing this work!
Went to the sea for some breathing and #gratitude ππ
Foods for the soul π€
Working on a new album, new film soundtrack, and a solo show simultaneously. Talk about compartmentalizing π€π
My creative process includes a lot of conversing with nature.
I find my quiet there when it is lost; I get inspired by the waves. I am reminded of the basics of everything when outside.
As a person who can at times get caught up in my emotional depths, this is an essential and blessed anchor.
Sometimes I really have to push myself to leave my studio and go outside, but I usually visit the sea 3 or 4 times a week. To me, it is like a good old friend. I am so lucky to live this close to its wisdom. ππ
My Ocean π€π
Some of you guys might know him from older posts.
I've always been a cat person. I find cats to be highly energetic creatures who come to my life for a reason. Every cat relationship I ever had has taught me lessons and changed me in some way.
With Ocean, I had a uniquely special connection. He came into my life when he was 1 month old, and we were the best buddies; he also liked to follow me from my house to my studio and sit there while I played. In his baby days, he also attempted some melodies himself, and I thought they were pretty good avant-garde pieces ππ
Three months and a week ago, he suddenly disappeared, and even though I did everything that I could to find him, he's gone missing as if he vanished into the air. I was heartbroken beyond words. Time does what it does, but I still think about him every day and hope that he will magically re-appear in the same mysterious way he disappeared.
In the meantime, about two weeks ago, this little black & white fella unexpectedly came into my life. I was really not looking to adopt a new cat; I didn't feel ready at all. But someone found him after he was hit by a car, and as I wanted to help, I found myself taking care of a sweet new little fur-baby.
I named him Amazia – which in Hebrew means that he is brave and that god's spirit is with him. Which is precisely the way that he is. His leg is still severely damaged and painful, but he has such a light and beautiful spirit, and he is very mentally strong. He ignores what doesn't work and finds his way to enjoy what's around him. I get reminded of these essential qualities and abilities each day when I watch him do his thing, and it's a blessing π
Who here is a cat person? ππ
β€οΈ if you are and share your cat story in the comments ππ
Catching as many sunsets as I can before the winter comes…
In the background: Smooth Sailing πΆπ§ from my album Serenity Island
Are you catching sunsets wherever you are?
π€
I've recently scored this short documentary film, and the story was very close to my heart.β β β β β β β β β
Not Worth Killing tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Sister Lillian Oliver, IHM, and Mitchell Rutledge, a convicted murderer serving life without parole in an Alabama state penitentiary. It is a story of one man's transformation and the immense impact and influence one person can have on another's life.β β β β β β β β β
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As a teenager, I used to think a lot about the death sentence and what it meant, reading and watching films about it. It occupied my thoughts as I was maturing and focusing my views around values, humanity, and compassion. β β β β β β β β β
Since this subject is close to my heart, it was a deep experience for me to work on this film. β β β β β β β β β
I feel it shows a moving and thought-provoking perspective on how complex it is to be human.β β β β β β β β β
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The film has been presenting in festivals around the USA this past month and is the Official Selection – best documentary award of the Films In Focus international film festival.β β β β β β β β β
If you can catch it online I would recommend it, and I would also love to hear your thoughts about it!β β β β β β β β β
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< Just a teaser, I will be releasing the soundtrack later this year. Date yet to be chosen, I'll update here. >β β β β β β β β β
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Director: Eric M.Iveyβ β β β β β β β β
#notworthkilling #filmscore #filmcomposer
I recently had the pleasure to compose the soundtrack for a short documentary film titled Not Worth Killing;
a very moving, sad, and finally also beautiful story of a man serving a life sentence in prison, and his friendship with a nun who saw the good in him and helped him change his life.
I'm happy to share a short part from the music. This was recorded in a few layers, the video captures one and the audio tells the full story πΆπ§
I like to start my practice with free improvisation.
It's relaxing, and opens my mind and inspiration.
I often get ideas for my compositions from these free imorov sessions. π€