Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"...seething rhythms and exotic melodies accumulated through a few thousand years live on in Ari's DNA...he's drawn together a collective of like-minded, professionally seasoned wayfarers who live by, for, and through their instruments.
You can pull all the cliches in the P.R. barrel for this musical antidote to psychic toxicity, and you still won't put a finger on the fever-inducing pulse of this band, which stirs up the authentic, free-festival-feel of the music in whatever cultural celebration they drop in on: a Mexican fiesta, a carnival jump-up in Trinidad, or any torrid night in Tunisia. The tunes, the lyrics, are original; the ecstasy is ageless.
Step into the melange...and you are impelled, from the core of your being, to fly. Airborne in an instant, you're simultaneously grounded to the center of the earth.
And what Moses up to? He's not laying out commandments; he's living the holy ghost. Whatever melodies he strikes run like guitar play with the spice of their national origin hot, hot, hot in his veins. He's not a mere leader when he sings or flies a gesture; he's purely possessed by what he sends out. (Forget about walking and chewing gum; Ari Ben moses can play a piping Arabic melody with his right hand, gesture with his left, sing the lyrics in a sweet voice and dance on his Bandy legs all the while.) he's a true medium, whose wholehearted animating faith in joy is infectious."
Cat Ballou, Music Critic
WOODSTOCK TIMES - WOODSTOCK TIMES, Woodstock, NY
In a recent appearance for KFAR at Nevin’s, Ben Moses led his band through a rambunctious set starting in reggae, then branching into rock, funk, and soul. Reggae is very fond of religious and social messages; Ben Moses sticks to the Torah as a reference source, but rather than limiting his ability to comment on issues of war, materialism, and modern anxiety, it makes his commentary more universal. Now that Ben Moses is based in Chicago, there’s no excuse to miss one of his incendiary concerts. - Paul Weider, JUF News
"...The Ari Ben Moses Band’s Burning Bush is a unique offering from a Chicago-based-but-globally-comprised band who pull together musics and influences from around the world to shape their potent creations.
The band is super-tight—it goes without saying that the parts involved in the sum of Burning Bush fit together perfectly. The gritty reggae of “On That Day” really suits vocalist/keyboardist Ari Ben Moses’s voice. Versatility is the name of his game, as he is capable of wrapping his voice around Latin-inflected grooves like that of “MariaElaine“ as ably as he can command the beat-driven funk of “Sacred Safety”. Extra love goes to percussionist/drummer Oscar Debe, whose skill with the syncopated beats of world music takes the band to another level.
It’s difficult to do justice to the talent and originality of the Ari Ben Moses Band, and Burning Bush is much better heard than read about. Still, it’s worth saying that spiritual, moving music like this doesn’t come along often (many who try stand shakily on the verge of self-parody). If a multi-ethnic approach to the spiritual heart of world music is what you seek, let Burning Bush quench your thirst."
--Jack Alberson www.FAC193.com - FAC193 Review
“Ari Ben Moses and his band are blending the music of different cultures in a beautiful spiritual way. Their music expresses a unique voice of oneness in a world in need of healing. The Ari Ben Moses Band has a great sound that gives real meaning to "soul" music." - Rabbi Eliezer Garner
Discography
ARI BEN MOSES BAND "Burning Bush"
Available at www.cdbaby.com/abmb
Also please check us out at:
www.aribenmosesband.com
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
ARI BEN MOSES has emerged as one of World Music's most dynamic singer/songwriters. Reggae bass lines, African and Latin beats; Middle Eastern scales punctuated with gritty NYC Funk Rock are all masterfully blended by this superb singer/songwriter and his skillful band. His music often compared to Carlos Santana and Peter Gabriel, Ari's compelling lyrics, powerful voice and brilliant piano playing have captivated audiences in New York City and Chicago, and across the United States. With the release of his CD, "Burning Bush", his innovative World Rock sound has been featured on WLIB-AM, WBAI-FM and WSIA-FM Radio in New York City, WNUR-FM and WHPK-FM in Chicago and Radio Eshel 106-FM in Israel. Through the internet, he has successfully reached listeners in Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philipines, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Recognized at an early age for his musical abilities, he was presented with an award for pianistic excellence by famed Jazz musician and educator Dr. Billy Taylor and a scholarship to Berklee school of music. After he returned to New York City, where he studied Jazz Piano with the likes of JoAnne Brackeen, Jim Mcneely, Gay Mehegan and Vladimir Shafranov, he began to explore beyond the Western tradition.
Finding inspiration in the West African and Reggae music scenes, Ari toured nationally and in Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa, as keyboardist and vocalist for many top artists, including Ishmael Isaacs, Ijahman Levi, Sister Carol; and Nigeria's Majek Fashek, with whom he made two albums, "Spirit of Love" (Interscope) and "Rainmaker" (Tuff Gong).
In the late 1990's Ari began to explore the music of his Jewish ancestors, infusing traditional melodies and rhythms into his eclectic compositions. To reveal the direction of his music, Ari formed a group of the best World Music artists, ARI BEN MOSES BAND. Together, they approached Ari's exotic musical expressions with a refreshing, vibrant energy and urbane confidence nourished by the multi-cultural setting of the World Music community.
ARI BEN MOSES BAND has performed at dozens of nightclubs and music festivals in New York City and Chicago, and has also toured throughout the US, from Taos, New Mexico to Aspen, Colorado to Salt Lake City, Utah. Among their many projects, this exciting ensemble was highlighted at the Fifth Avenue Festival (Park Slope, Brooklyn, NYC), of which Ari acted as musical coordinator and Master of Ceremonies; and performed for a second time at Bethlehem Musikfest (Bethlehem, PA). At the most recent Greater Chicago Jewish Music Festival, ARI BEN MOSES BAND was warmly received as they performed an energetic set, honored to be taking the stage right after the famous Israeli singer/songwriter, David Broza. The engaging showmanship and enduring musicianship of ARI BEN MOSES BAND have consistently received enthusiastic response and have developed a strong following.
Ari Ben Moses is currently based in Chicago, Illinois, where he and his wife are renovating an historical Victorian home on the North Side.
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