Miri Ben-Ari

How many artists can say they got props from both superstar rapper Jay-z and Carnegie Hall favorite Isaac SternNULL Hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-ari can. When the Israeli-born virtuoso's family couldn't afford her violin lessons anymore, it was Stern who stepped in and recommended Ben-ari for an America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarship. She was later chosen to play in the prestigious Israeli Army String Quartet and fell in love with jazz, a love that brought her to the United States and the Mannes School of Music in New York City. Straight out of school she released her debut in 1999. Titled Sahara and released on the Half Note label, the album drew positive reviews, most pointing out how sure and diverse this new violinist sounded. Recorded live at the famous Blue Note Club, 2003's Temple Of Beautiful furthered Ben-ari's status as an up-and-coming jazz musician.



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