David Amram

Composer, Conductor & Multi-instrumentalist

David Amram guest conducting the Houston symphony, 1968

Recent Press and Announcements

Amram celebrated in Jazz Journal 7/16/19
The release of the soundtrack from The Manchurian Candidate spurs the accolades of Geoff Wills. "David Amram's music reinforced the message of a 1962 film that has strong contemporary resonances." Full article here.
Amrams present at the christening of Woody Guthrie Way in Brooklyn

Photos courtesy of art curator Mie Iwatsuki
As Woody Guthrie's children and grandchildren watch, and that includes Arlo, Nora and more depth from the extended Guthrie clan, Adam Amram valiantly saves the day, taking care of one last, unexpected hurdle. It all happened at the end of this morning's WOODY GUTHRIE WAY Street Co-Naming over at Mermaid Ave and W. 35th St in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Happily, Adam's proud dad, composer David Amram was also there to witness the "high jinx"!
Watch the video of Adam's climb to rescue the sign
70th Anniversary of "The Birth of Cool"

(l-r)Lee Konitz, Chris McBride and David Amram

After appearing as panelists at Jazz at Lincoln Center's evening celebrating the 70th anniversary of Miles Davis classic 1959 recording "Birth of the Cool" Lee Konitz and David Amram were invited to the big band concert by the brilliant young bassist and bandleader Chris McBride . The photo was posted by Chris McBride on his Instagram account. Lee Konitz is the last surviving member of the Birth of the Cool album and Amram was a mentor of McBride since Chris was in high school.
David Amram gets a NM premiere with the LasCruces Symphony Orchestra
"Partners" will be performed by the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra with violin soloist Maria Schleuning and cellist Jolyon Pegis, conducted by Lonnie Klein. In this interview at KRWG with Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin, Amram said he chose the title because "partnership is what all music built to last is all about." Amram drew inspiration for each movement from famous partnerships in music: folk legends Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger, jazz greats Billie Holiday and Lester Young, and the Cuban musicians Machito and Celia Cruz.
The LCSO concerts take place at the Atkinson Hall on Saturday. May 4th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 5th at 3 p.m.
Listen on classical music station KRWG-FM to a wide-ranging conversation with Amram, including what he calls his life-time enrollment in the 'University of Hangout-ology'
World Premiere: Bulgarian Wedding
Amram's latest pieced performed by Elmira Darvarova and Howard Wall
On May 5th, 2019 the world premiere of David Amram's Bulgarian Wedding will be performed in Short Hills, New Jersey. The piece will be part of the Music from Five Centuries for Violin and Horn series featuring violinist Elmira Darvarova and French hornist Howard Wall. It will take place at the Christ Church in Short Hills, New Jersey and is free to the public. Donations will be accepted for humanitarian efforts of Music for Life International.
David Amram received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Sarasota Film Festival.

(l-r)Patti Brand Reece, David Amram, Barbara Kopple (2 time Oscar winner), Mark Reece and Gus Mollasis

Here is a very indepth intereview with Amram published in the "Sarasota Scene" April 1st, 2019.
Amram & Co

Friday, April 5th at 8:30 pm - 338 Atlantic Ave.
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David Amram, piano, french horn, flutes, composition & surprises; Kevin Twigg, drums, glockenspiel; Rene Hart, bass; Elliot Peper, bongos; Adam Amram, percussion; + surprise guests!
Lots of great music, poetry & stories all weekend
Cornelia Street Lives!
David Amram receives the NYU Distinguished ARTIST AWARD

(l-r) Barbara Oldham, Matt Sullivan, Amram and Gina Cuffari
David Amram is joined by faculty members after receiving his award.

The plaque honoring Amram stated
"For an Extraordinary Life Dedicated to Excellence in Music."
"It was a great night" said Amram, after the concert "It was an honor to have some of my music played on a program with some of my favorite composers. All the music was played beautifully by a group of brilliant young musicians who were joined by members of their faculty. Music was the star of the evening and that's what it's all about"
David Amram Film Scores Available on CD! In April of 2019, the new 5 CD Box set of David Amram's compositions used in film scores for the last 62 years will be released in conjunction with the Sarasota Film festival honoring David Amram with a Lifetime Achievement Award

From his first score in 1956 for the documentary film Echo of an Era (with Cecil Taylor playing piano on his first ever recording) and the scores for the original 1962 Manchurian Candidate (with stellar performances by Harold Land and Carmell Jones), Splendor in the Grass (with soloists Buster Bailey and George Barrow) Jack Kerouac's Pull My Daisy (with Sahib Shihab as soloist and Jack Kerouac narrating) and ending with the new film Isn't it Delicious with classical artists joined by jazz luminaries Paquito D'Rivera, Alex Foster, Earl McKintyre, Jerome Harris and guitarists Gene Bertoncini and Vic Juris.