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| by kenn on 4/02/2004 10:23:00 PM |
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Miri Ben-Ari The Hip-Hop Violinist Goes on Tour With Kanye West
 Miri Ben-Ari grew up in a small town near Tel-Aviv, beginning her classical music education when she was only 6. When violin lessons became too expensive for her family, Issac Stern stepped in, recommended her for a scholarship from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and gave the young prodigy her most treasured possession, a violin.
Check out video of Miri Ben-Ari in action:
RealPlayer: ( HIghSpeed )
During her mandatory military service, she was chosen to play with the prestigious Israeli Army String Quartet. After being introduced to the music of Charlie Parker and other American jazz greats, Miri decided to come to the United States and study at the Mannes School of Music in New York City.
At a late night jam session, legendary jazz vocalist Betty Carter heard Miri playing. Almost immediately Ms. Carter invited her to participate in Jazz Ahead, a program for young musicians. A performance at the Blue Note led to her debut jazz album, ahara (Half Note Records). Internationally renowned jazz trumpeter (and a major inspiration) Wynton Marsalis made a guest appearance on Miri; second jazz album, Long of the Promised Land (Mirimode Recordings). In the dance music arena, Miri had the opportunity to produce and record her debut dance single "Peace In The Middle East" (Sfere Records).
Not long after, Miri was introduced to the Grammy winning artist/producer Wyclef Jean who invited her to play at his Carnegie Hall concert and introduced Miri to the world of urban music. Appearances on NBC Showtime At The Apollo and BET 106 & Park prompted an unprecedented amount of correspondence from viewers who praised her captivating performances, demanding to know more about this Hip Hop Violinist. After being honored as an Apollo Legend, and she was invited to perform by multi-platinum Rap superstar Jay-Z at Hot 97 Summer Jam and most recently at Showtime live On Showtime.
In the past few years she has written, performed, recorded and produced music for Kanye West , Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Twista, Brandy, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey, Coca Cola, Joe, Wyclef Jean, 3LW, Luther Vandross, Dallas Austin, Mos Def , DJ Logic, Rahzal, Allure, Jimmy Cozier and the X-ecutioners.
Miri currently endorses and performs on behalf of Ecko clothing line, Vestax and Coca-Cola.
You've seen her on BET's 106 & Park. You've heard her on records by Janet Jackson, Twista, Brandy, and Patti Labelle. Now you can see Miri Ben-Ari, the Hip Hop Violinist, on tour with Kanye West:
4/1/2004 : Showbox - Seattle, WA
4/3/2004 : Filmore - San Francisco, CA
4/4/2004 : House of Blues - Los Angeles, CA
4/8/2004 : 4th and B - San Diego, CA
4/9/2004 : House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
4/10/2004 : Marquee - Phoenix, AZ
4/17/2004 : A&T University - Greensboro, NC
4/22/2004 : UMBC- Fieldhouse - Baltimore, MD
4/23/2004 : Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
4/24/2004 : University of Connecticuit - Storrs, CT
4/29/2004 : Pace University - New York, NY
4/30/2004 : Rutgers College - New Brunswick, NJ
5/3/2004 : House of Blues - Chicago, IL
5/7/2004 : Cornell University - Ithaca, NY
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