Noam Lemish - Erlebnisse (November 12, 2021)

Toronto based pianist Noam Lemish celebrates the release of Erlebnisse, a piano solo album of improvisations that blurs the lines between jazz, western art music, Eastern European Jewish music and Israeli popular song. It may be that Lemish’s hyphenated identity as an Israeli-American-Canadian has helped inspire his multiplicity and general disinclination to follow stylistic guidelines. In Erlebnisse we encounter an artist who clearly enjoys living “in between” genre boundaries and embraces the liminality inherent in improvisation. Each note is an affirmation of the present moment, each moment of silence and pause an inviting space vibrating with possibility.

Erlebnisse is German for “deeply felt experiences”. Each piece is completely improvised, recorded in a single take, and played in “real time”. Each selection serves as a sonic portrait that captures a unique “deeply felt experience”: an Erlebnis, all told through spontaneous improvisation. The music traverses wide ranging emotional terrain and Lemish’s pianism is at once deeply lyrical and fierce, displaying textural richness and dynamic variety that masterfully exploits his instrument and exhibits a fearless, adventurous spirit.

Following six previous recordings under his name, Erlebnisse marks Lemish’s first piano solo release. As a recording that whole-heartedly embraces free improvisation as process and artistic expression, it manifests Lemish’s long held belief in improvisation as a practice that is simultaneously inwardly and outwardly revealing and rewarding. Erlebnisse thus invites the listener into an intimate, vulnerable and open space that is filled with the joy and excitement of in-the-moment creative expression.

Erlebnisse will be released worldwide on Friday, November 12th.

1. Erlebnis 1 4:01

2. Erlebnis 2 5:35

3. Erlebnis 3 1:35

4. Erlebnis 4 4:09

5. Erlebnis 5 6:34

6. Erlebnis 6 3:48

7. Erlebnis 7 1:05

8. Erlebnis 8 5:19

9. Erlebnis 9 3:55

10. Erlebnis 10 1:08

11. Erlebnis 11 4:05

12. Erlebnis 12 3:17

13. Erlebnis 13 4:53

14. Erlebnis 14 3:29

15. Erlebnis 15 2:10

16. Erlebnis 16 3:03

Noam Lemish - Piano & Prepared Piano

www.noamlemish.com

Amos Hoffman & Noam Lemish - Pardes (2018)

Internationally renowned jazz guitarist and oud virtuoso Amos Hoffman and world-class pianist/ composer Noam Lemish have teamed up to release Pardes, an enchanting album offering an inspired blend of jazz, north african and latin rhythms as well as melodies that come from various Jewish communities across the Middle-East and Eastern Europe.

For years, Hoffman and Lemish have been collecting Jewish melodies from different parts of the world including Kurdish, Yemenite, Moroccan, Russian, Central Asian, and Israeli songs. In Pardes they team up with a stellar Toronto-based rhythm section featuring Justin Gray on bass and Derek Gray on drums & percussion to present vibrant reimaginings of these beloved melodies. 

Hoffman and Lemish, both of whom have roots in Israel but have spent much of their adult life in North America, began collaborating in January 2016. Lemish is deeply rooted in jazz and classical music and Hoffman is equally well-versed in jazz, Arab classical music, and North African vernaculars. Together they create a refreshing and compelling sound, filled with vibrant sonorities, unique instrument combinations and compelling arrangements. 

Pardes will be released internationally on Friday, June 1st and will be celebrated with a tour of Ontario, Quebec and New York State.

1. Adon Haslichot  4:44

2. At Telchi Basade  4:08

3. Dror Yikra  5:27

4. Eshal Elohay  2:46

5. Dalale Dalale  4:06

6. Äji Tü Yormä Äji  5:53

7. Harbi Meir  5:45

8. Argaman  2:50

9. Tchol Hamitpachat  4:14

10. Ets Harimon  4:31

Amos Hoffman - Guitar & Oud

Noam Lemish - Piano

Justin Gray - Bass

Derek Gray - Drums & Percussion

with

Pedram Khavarzamini - Tombak

Jacob Gorzhaltsan - Clarinet

www.HoffmanLemish.com