About Me
"Words Are Worlds", the debut release by Israeli vocalist Julia Feldman, is an inspired tribute to the work and personality of Billie Holiday. Feldman, augmented by pianist, composer and arranger Yitzhak Yedid and bassist Ora Boasson-Horev, interprets songs identified with Holiday, focusing on the lyrics, thus enabling herself and her trio partners to present a fresh and open-minded perspective to the Holiday legacy." (EYAL HAREUVENI, "ALL ABOUT JAZZ") ____________________________________"...Feldman is a jazz vocalist that was blessed with especially significant singing capabilities, and alongside with her group she creates jazz of multiple colors; interesting, qualitative and enjoyable." ("City Mouse") ________________________________________________"...The Julia Feldman Ensemble`s cd is, in my opinion, the perfect individual " foie gras " dish- it has to be detached from any musical or culinary context. The Ensemble: Julia Feldman- voice, Yitzhak Yedid- piano and Ora Boasson-Horev- double bass, creates music that interlaces between modern classical music, jazz and free improvisation. The seven pieces featured in the album constitute a complete autobiographical work of art, that`s dedicated to the tragic life of Lady Day, to her music and personality. The combination between interpretations of Holiday`s wonderful songs and the Ensemble`s original music is like an open wound that refuses to heal through the whole process of listening. There is no forgiveness, no mercy; there is a throwing of aching truth full of suffering- as it is. …This is not an easy listening record. The music demands patience and restraint, but that is worthwhile eventually. To the faint-hearted it`s recommended to listen to the cd during a number of days. The faint-hearted probably has never heard Ornette Coleman`s "Lonely Woman" before, that`s why it is advisable to them to listen to his version of the song (first), so they could appreciate properly the Ensemble`s interpretation of this marvelous piece.The Julia Feldman Ensemble`s new album- for those who read Billie Holiday`s biography, for those who will read it during the listening period and for those who will read it afterwards. The Julia Feldman Ensemble plays the blues- the way it comprehends it." (ASHER KESHER, "Kol Ha-Zman") _____________________________________ "… The show integrates between a unique vocalist and a high-quality jazz ensemble… the arrangements combine pure rhythmic energy with the warmth and the softness in Feldman`s voice" (SHUNI JAZZ FESTIVAL)In her singing the Israel-based vocalist Julia Feldman combines elements of multiple styles, such as a variety of jazz genres, modern classical music, blues and free improvisation, while her delivery of lyrics is full of emotion and exploration. She is a graduate of the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem and has frequently worked with leading Israeli jazz artists and music groups. Among the artists she`s worked and performed with are Arnie Lawrence, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Boris Gammer, Jerry Garval, Eli Magen (with a voice-double bass duo project), Eilon Tourgeman, Jean Claude Johns, Stephen Horenstein, Steve Peskoff, The Yedid Trio and others. She has performed in leading Israeli jazz clubs and on various festivals, including the Israel Festival and the Shuni Jazz Festival.Julia takes part in various music projects, and performs regularly with several groups; among others she leads a Jazz Quartet (featuring Steve Peskoff on the guitar) and the Julia Feldman Ensemble music group (featuring Yitzhak Yedid on piano and Ora Boasson-Horev on bass, who both are successful recording artists for the German label "Between the Lines" and has received wide critical acclaim for their recordings and numerous performances in Israel, Europe and North America). The trio`s individual sound merges elements of various styles, such as modern classical music, jazz and avant-garde free improvisation, while the lyrics always stay in the center of the performance. Recently the Ensemble had recorded an album "Words Are Worlds (A Tribute to Billie Holiday)", which is inspired by the work and personality of this remarkable vocalist, storyteller and artist and reveals an individual point of view on Holiday`s style, staying faithful to her openness in interpretation, but letting it pass through the prism of our times. The cd is a product of the Ensemble`s numerous successful performances with the material on many Israeli stages; it features unique arrangements of the known jazz standards that were performed by Holiday, alongside with the member`s original compositions; all of which are connected by a leitmotif borrowed from Holiday`s profound ballad "God Bless the Child".In addition to her work as a performing musician Julia is also being active as a music educator, teaching voice, theory and jazz improvisation in the "Ha Sadna" Music and Dance Conservatory in Jerusalem and conducting improvisation workshops for vocalists.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
