(GHENT, N.Y.) – Jewish world-beat jazz quartet Sha’ar performs a Candlelight Concert at ?Omi International Arts Center on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at 6:30pm. ?The quartet features acclaimed musician (and 2007 Music Omi alumni) drummer/percussionist David Freeman, along with guitarist Oren Neiman, Iván Barenboim on clarinet and bass clarinet, and bassist Doug Drewes.

Sha’ar is Hebrew for “gateway”, a point of meeting where communities can co­mingle and cross cultural meetings happen. This musical project explores the various Jewish musical traditions of its members, and uses these traditions to inform the compositions played by the group in an attempt to create a musical language that is coherent and unique to the group, informed by jazz and global music.

Each of the band members comes from various geographic (USA, Argentina, Israel, and Canada) as well as cultural backgrounds. Since its founding, Omi International Arts Center has been guided by the principle that artistic expression transcends economic, political, and cultural boundaries. Music Omi reflects that commitment, as do Omi’s other residency programs for artists, writers, and dancers.

The concert will be held in the glass setting of Omi’s Visitors Center (1405 County Route 22, Ghent, NY). The concert and reception are free for members of Omi and $10 for not­yet­members. Tickets for non­members may be purchased online at Omi International Arts Center or at the door.

David K. Freeman ?(USA) ?­ A percussionist, composer and educator based in Brooklyn, David K. Freeman’s work is infused with a passion for jazz, world and folk music traditions, and often explores the negotiations of influences and identity. An alumni of the Music Omi residency program, he has performed at Calgary Jazz Festival, LABA Arts festival, Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Symphony Space, and The Stone, to name a few.

Oren Neiman (Israel/Canada/USA)? – Guitarist and composer Oren Neiman’s compositions explore a combination of jazz sensibility with Middle Eastern rhythms and melody. He has released 2 CDs under his own quartet, and is also a member o the acoustic guitar duo Isra­Alien, performing Mediterranean Gypsy music that explores the roots of Israeli music. He was an artist­in­residence at the 92nd St. Y, the Banff Centre, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

Iván Barenboim (Argentina/USA) ?­ Clarinet and bass clarinet player Iván Barenboim’s performance highlights include Teatro Colon and Palais de Glace in Buenos Aires, Siemens Art Festival (Germany), Fronteras Latin American Festival (UK) and Belfast International Festival (Ireland). In New York, Iván has performed with Roberto Rodriguez Cuban­Jewish All Stars, Pablo Ziegler, Fernando Otero and Joan Baez.

Doug Drewes (USA)? ­ Bassist Doug Drewes is a freelance bassist, composer and educator in New York City. His playing has been featured on over twenty recordings, as well in TV shows such as The Voice. Doug has also performed throughout the U.S. including performances at The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, SXSW and CMJ Music Marathon.

About ?Omi International Arts Center

Omi International Arts Center seeks to foster an environment of creative exploration and exchange, professional opportunity and exposure, and a stylistically and culturally diverse community for creative artists from around the world. Through our programs and resulting public events ­ including our Residency Programs, The Fields Sculpture Park, Architecture Omi, and Education Omi ­ Omi contributes to a vibrant arts culture locally, regionally, and internationally.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Oren Neiman and Sha’ar.