Musicians and Singers for The Nora's Ark Recording Project

Last week we recorded Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical by Clifford Carlson and myself.  It was a dream come true after a 10 year journey from it’s first voyage at the Louis Armstrong Middle School in Queens, New York.  The Jazz Drama Program, the non profit I co-founded, supported the project in collaboration with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy and Avatar Studios in Manhattan.  We rehearsed for 5 weeks in Brooklyn at the BYC building with great support from BYC founder/Artistic Director Dianne Berkun then culminated our work at Avatar Studios in Manhattan with great support from studio owner, Kirk Imamura and recording engineer Jim Anderson. Here are some photos from the rehearsals and recording session…rehearsal photos by Kerry Kehoe, recording session photos by Carolyn Appel…

Jake and Eli working out the verse of "Swinging on the Family Tree"

Talia and Bolivia join in as the bunnies...

Vocal coach Charenee Wade gives pointers on the blues to Raquel, Ms. Gazelle

Solomon sings I See Blue with Emma and Raquel

Enter Avatar Studios

Blending and swinging.

The composer/producer Eli Yamin

The writer/associate producer Clifford Carlson

Trumpeter Mark McGowan

Saxophonist Chris Byars

Drummer Stefan Schatz and bassist Pat O' Leary

Nora's Ark Recording Singers and with Engineer Jim Anderson and Avatar Studio Owner Kirk Imamura