Songs of the Valley Live at Jazz on Main

An inventive collaboration between acclaimed composers Oren Neiman and Gilad Ephrat, "Songs of the Valley" is a New York-based quintet that redefines the intersection of heritage and modernity. By weaving together the intricate textures of World-string traditions with the improvisational spirit of Chamber-jazz, the ensemble creates a cinematic and deeply emotional soundscape. Featuring a unique instrumentation of violin, guitar, upright bass, percussion, and wordless vocals, the project celebrates the organic interplay between five distinct musical voices "Outstanding Mid-Eastern inspired jazz to a sold-out audience... music to be treasured." — Alan Lutwin, Executive Artistic Director, Westchester Collaborative Theater "A uniquely evocative sound... hypnotic music with the transportive power of a great film score" — Daniel Mendelson, Recording Artist A Lifelong Dialogue: Rooted in a shared childhood in Israel, "Songs of the Valley" is the culmination of a lifelong friendship. After decades of separate international careers—Gilad in Israel and Oren in New York—their reunion revealed a unified musical language. This project is a testament to how shared roots, even when nurtured oceans apart, can converge into a natural, resonant, and contemporary sound. The Ensemble: Master Musicians with International Acclaim Oren Neiman (Guitar): Co-leader and composer. Acclaimed for fusing sophisticated Jazz with Middle Eastern rhythms, Oren has released three albums as a leader. He served as the Guitar/Mandolin Chair for the award-winning production of Fiddler on the Roof and has received support from The Schusterman Foundation, Asylum Arts, and Arts Westchester. Gilad Ephrat (Double Bass): Co-leader and composer. An internationally recognized virtuoso known for his lyrical compositions and three original albums, including a symphonic live recording. Gilad has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, was a two-time Finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and tours extensively across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Enav Ephrat (Voice): An acclaimed World Music vocalist known for her unique lyrical depth. Enav enriches the ensemble’s repertoire with her experience performing in multiple languages and diverse cultural settings. She is the central vocalist of the globally touring Gilad Ephrat Ensemble, where she treats the voice as a virtuosic instrument. Joyce Hammann (Violin): A veteran New York musician and former Concertmaster of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, who seamlessly blends classical refinement with jazz improvisation. Her extensive collaborations include work with Paul McCartney, Sting, John Zorn, and Uri Caine. Nadav Snir-Zelniker (Percussion): An established and versatile drummer and bandleader on the New York scene, whose dynamic core presence is featured on multiple recordings, including his own album Thinking Out Loud.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3548016-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3548016-2

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