David Amram - News and Reviews

David Amram
Composer, Conductor & Multi-instrumentalist

"David Amram is one of the most
versatile and skilled musicians
America has ever produced"
...The Washington Post

Recent Press

Recent Articles and Press Releases

The Villager Sept. 10th, 2019
Lincoln Anderson
Cornelia Street in Exile returns Downtown as Cornelia Meatpacking with an end-of-summer celebration - a free outdoor concert in the Meatpacking District on Sun., Sept. 15. Multi-instrumental marvel David Amram - who used to hang out with the Beats and jam with Bob Dylan, before becoming a Cornelia Street Cafe regular - will kick off Cornelia Meatpacking´s Sept. 15 free concert. (File photo by Tequila Minsky) Also on hand will be Arturo O´Farrill - six-time Grammy-winning pianist, composer and music educator - and his trio, bringing their brand of Afro-Latin-influenced jazz to the plaza. In addition, the Shinbone Alley Stilt Band,an eclectic group of musicians, will entertain with a unique brand of swing, jazz and Dixieland music - all while towering over the crowd, on stilts. And fans of Brazilian jazz will enjoy the smooth stylings of Rogerio Souza and the Billy Newman Quarteto.
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
6/22/19

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"
June, 2019

(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.
World Premiere: Bulgarian Wedding
May 5th, 2019
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 gets a NM premiere with the LasCruces Symphony Orchestra
May 4th, 2019
"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'
David Amram received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Sarasota Film Festival.
April 1st, 2019

(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.
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"