Oded Lev-Ari: From The Press

Listening: Wham

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go was playing at Bradly’s wedding, and the speakers were really bass heavy. This song has a really interesting, grooving, inventive bass part. Who knew? especially the “I wanna hit that high…” part. If you know who played it – send me a note.

Listening: Ullmann

When first introduced to Viktor Ullmann’s piano music I had a feeling that I could have written these – a very strong sense of common language, concept of the piano, and a strong connection to the overall aesthetic. Subsequent listening made this almost freaky. His personal story is remarkable and sad, but the music is moving and meaningful without it.

From The Press

“Early reviews of “Noir” suggest that it will be one of the finest jazz records of the year, thanks in large part to the arrangements by […] Oded Lev-Ari, which alternate from lush Gil Evans harmonies to hard-charging bebop to a laconic beauty that could accompany a moody European film. “
–Washington Post, May 2007

“Anzic Orchestra is uniquely orchestrated with a large horn section, a guitar in place of a piano and trio of cellos. The arrangements on Noir are anything but black — they are life-affirming and intriguing.”
–NPR Morning Edition Sunday

“Lev-Ari’s arrangements are outstanding”
–Billboard Magazine, April 2007

“…Ingênuo…and La Comparsa are the most buoyant of Lev-Ari’s Gil Evans-worthy transformations”
–Village Voice, May 2007

“Lev-Ari’s arrangements and the band’s interpretations…are virtually beyond criticism”
–Jazz Times, May 2007

“Oded Lev-Ari…seems able to adapt any style from Brazilian to ballad, bop to pop, and make it lustrous and engaging.”
–AllAboutJazz.com, April 2007

“…the arrangements by Oded Le[v]-Ari are all first rate and do not call attention to themselves but rather enhance the music. They all sound like that is the way they are supposed to be; one can’t imagine that they should be otherwise. “
–Morton Gold, November 2006

Oded Lev-Ari