Recording

Praise for The Hevreh Ensemble - Produced by Ralph Farris

Hevreh Ensemble - Instagram.jpg

Here’s what critics are saying about The Hevreh Ensemble’s recent release A Path of Light, produced by Ralph Farris:

“this album belongs on the shelf next to your Silk Road Ensemble records.” - American Record Guide (Sep/Oct 2019 issue)

“stunning moments…intimate and singularly fascinating.” - American Record Guide (Sep/Oct 2019 issue)

“Bravo to Jeff Adler and all involved in this special, special collection.” - American Record Guide (Sep/Oct 2019 issue)

Stream it on Spotify or purchase the CD.

Joanna Wallfisch announces third album "Gardens In My Mind"

LONDON-BORN, NYC-BASED ARTIST, JOANNA WALLFISCH, ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

GARDENS IN MY MIND

Out on Sunnyside Records, July 22, 2016

Second collaboration with pianist Dan Tepfer

features London’s award-winning classical string ensemble The Sacconi Quartet

“Sensitive and deep” — The New York Times

UK native vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Joanna Wallfisch announces the upcoming release of her third album, Gardens in My Mind, out on July 22, 2016 (Sunnyside Records). Wallfisch’s new body of work showcases the artist’s signature pure vocals and poetic lyrics with an intricate weaving of singer-songwriter, folk, jazz, contemporary and indie pop music. The 14-track album features Wallfisch on vocals, piano and ukulele along with pianist, Dan Tepfer, and award-winning London-based ensemble, The Sacconi Quartet.

Gardens is the much anticipated follow-up to Wallfisch’s critically acclaimed last album, The Origin of Adjustable Things (Sunnyside Records, 2015), which Downbeat rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Originally from London, Joanna Wallfisch was born with music in her DNA. Daughter of classical cellist Raphael Wallfisch and violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch, Wallfisch completed her Masters in Jazz Performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and relocated to New York City in 2012. In 2011, she independently released her debut solo album, Wild Swan, which she recorded at the Douglas Street Studios in Brooklyn, New York.

In the past five years, Wallfisch has toured or worked with Wynton Marsalis, Fred Hersch, Lee Konitz, Joe Martin, Rob Garcia, James Shipp among other jazz luminaries. She has also appeared on film soundtracks, including All the Beautiful Things and Desert Dancer, and is the featured voice on the national ad campaign for Hillshire Farms.

In 2015, Wallfisch teamed up with pianist Dan Tepfer to record her second album, The Origin of Adjustable Things, which consisted of eight original compositions and four covers, including a hushed interpretation of Radiohead's "Creep," Tim Buckley's "Song to a Siren," and the Academy Award-nominated Tiomkin-Washington song, "Wild Is the Wind."

Wallfisch has received rave reviews from a number of music critics. The Boston Globe says, “Wallfisch combines the intimate purview of a singer-songwriter with the technical liberties of a jazz improviser.” Downbeat raves about Wallfisch, saying “her focused, crystalline delivery will melt any purist’s heart. ”The New York Times calls Wallfisch “an introspective singer-songwriter” who is “sensitive and deep.”

Be sure to pluck a copy of the new Joanna Wallfisch album Gardens in My Mind when it blooms on July 22nd! And stay tuned for the artist’s new music video for the title track--coming soon!

Ralph Farris and ETHEL’s new album featured in New York Times

When not working as a composer, Ralph Farris performs in the pioneering string quartet ETHEL.

The group’s new album, Documerica, takes inspiration from the Environmental Protection Agency’s 1971 Project Documerica, which commissioned photographers across the United States to capture images of the environment and it’s impact on society. The album features new compositions by ETHEL members as well as music commissioned from acclaimed composers Mary Ellen Childs, GRAMMY®-winning jazz drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr., Chickasaw Nation’s Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and James “Kimo” Williams. Each of these composers brings their own voice, regional and generational background to a collection of pieces that explores uniquely American music: the blues, jazz, Native American and Bluegrass.

Documerica is out this Friday on Innova. The New York Times is streaming the entire album this week. Check it out here.

PopMatters reviews Dave Douglas' High Risk Album

Where one influence ends and another one begins is a mystery, and that’s what will guarantee High Risk‘s status as a wholly unique album. With any justice, it will also serve as a template for future electro-jazz.
— John Garratt

Read more here