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Ari Erev: Close to Home

By Edward Blanco
September 16, 2021
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Pianist and composer Ari Erev here delivers an intimate musical portrait containing a selection of light jazz music intended to convey a warm personal story. As the Israeli pianist states, the album "tells my story of family members, close friends and familiar places, to whom I relate and feel deep emotions towards." Along with eight original compositions, Erev adds reimagined songs by

Paul Simon

composer / conductor
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Simon,

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett and fellow Israeli artist Efraim Shamir. He also touches on bossa nova with the inclusion of music from Brazilian pianist Debora Gurel and the great

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim.

A world-class musician comfortable performing in trio, big band and other formats, based in Israel, Erev had no difficulty in forming a sextet band of brothers—all world class musicians themselves—to accompany him on this personal musical journey. Except for internationally acclaimed drummer

Gasper Bertoncelj

drums
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Gasper Bertoncelj, who is Slovenian, the rest are all Israeli. Soprano saxophonist

Yuval Cohen

saxophone
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Yuval Cohen, bassist

Assaf Hakimi

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Assaf Hakimi, percussionist

Gilad Dobrecky

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Gilad Dobrecky and New York-based flautist

Hadar Noiberg

flute
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Hadar Noiberg roundout the cast of players.

One will note a classical bent on some of the tracks, perhaps due to the leader's classically trained background, but this is not the prominent theme of the album. The story begins with the "Israeli Story," a classically tinged eight-minute plus statement that features the flute in a beautiful melodic march punctuated by delightful piano forays. Saxophonist Cohen enters the scene on the light "Playground," which is followed by the down-tempo "Childhood Scene." "Para Sempre" (Forever) is the first Brazilian-styled piece by Gurel with Jobim's standard "Olha Maria" providing the other Latin item.

Part of the Erev's inner story is his tribute to daughter Tal on the gentle "Afar," which happens to provide one of the finest melodies of the set. Offering a marvelous arrangement of the Jarrett standard "So Tender," the music reflects the same sentiment coming off as a wonderful tender moment. The gentle sounds continue on the percussive and warm "Saturday's Coffee" with other notable tunes to sample including "Falling in Place," "Old Friends" and Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" among others.

If only all stories told could be so enthralling to hear as the one Erev has crafted on Close to Home. But then again, not all stories are about family, friendship and the good side of life.

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Track Listing

Israeli Story; Playground; Childhood Scenes; Falling in Place; Old Friends; Para Sempre (Forever); Afar (for Tal); So Tender; Saturday's Coffee; Shi'ur Moledet (Homeland Class); Olha Maria; Still Crazy After All These Years; Po (Here).

Personnel

Ari Erev

piano

Assaf Hakimi

bass

Gasper Bertoncelj

drums

Gilad Docrecky

percussion

Yuval Cohen

saxophone

Hadar Noiberg

flute

Album information

Title: Close to Home | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced

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