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"It never Was You - Jazz by Jewish composers"
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Press Release

NYC-based vocalist and songwriter, Hadar, is shining a new light on the enormous contribution made by Jewish composers to the distinctly American invention of jazz and the Great American Songbook with her album, “It Never Was You”. Released on 12/3/2019 at a private engagement just miles from Tin Pan Alley where the “Standards” were composed, and spanning the works of Gershwin to Hammerstein, Kern to Rodgers and many more, Hadar’s performance on the album breathes new life into some of the most iconic songs in history.  Produced by Robert L Smith, “It Never Was You” features an all-star NYC-based band of Jewish musicians, including Yaniv Taubenhouse, Ronen Itzik, Danny Weller, and Sam Sadigursky.

 

Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Hadar grew up performing at various nationally televised events, including an appearance on the first season of Kochav Nolad (“Israeli Idol”). After serving as a nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare defense trainer in the IDF, she found her way to NYC by way of the Rimon School of Music and Berklee College of Music. Hadar has since made a name for herself as a songwriter and recording artist, with 4 album releases, 4 song placements in film and TV, and writing or performance credits on over 10 other releases.  She is also a highly regarded live performer, making over 100 appearances across North America each year. 

 

Hadar recently rekindled her love of “standards” while performing at multiple receptions for well-known dignitaries such as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Madeleine Albright, Dick Cheney, Nikki Haley, and Ehud Barack.  While exploring the “Great American Songbook”, Hadar was surprised to discover that not only were an overwhelming number of “standards” composed by Jews, but many of the compositions themselves are based on Jewish melodies, stories, and texts. As a Jewish composer herself, Hadar wanted to honor and highlight the music, the composers and the stories behind them, by recording 10 “standards” in her own unique style.  

 

Sponsored by NYC’s own Temple Emanu-El and Temple Israel, “It Never Was You” is Hadar’s first step in sharing the often-overlooked Jewish connection. Since the pandemic eliminated the band's ability to tour with the project, Hadar created and produced a cutting edge LIVE FULL BAND VIRTUAL CONCERT which she is now featuring for communities, organizations and individuals all across the word, combining the performance of the music with the stories behind the compositions and composers and their uniquely Jewish origins. The revolutionary production and graphics as well as Hadar's soulful vocals, heartfelt delivery and contemporary arrangements offer a new interpretation of beloved jazz standards, and aim to revive a love of them in the public consciousness.  

Bio - short

With a career defined by reinvention including two years as a nuclear, biological and chemical warfare defense trainer in the IDF, TV appearances on programs such as Kochav Nolad (“Israeli Idol”), and performances at receptions for international dignitaries such as Barack Obama, it is no wonder that Israeli-American vocalist, songwriter, and performer Hadar continues to establish herself as one of the most highly sought-after soloists and performers in NYC with her jazz debut album “It Never Was You”. Having released 3 indie pop EPs, receiving multiple placements in film, TV, press and podcasts, and touring over 100 dates a year, Hadar is shining a new light on the enormous contribution made by Jewish composers to the distinctly American invention of jazz and the Great American Songbook. Spanning the works of Gershwin to Hammerstein, Kern to Rodgers and many more, Hadar’s performance on “It Never Was You” breathes new life into some of the most iconic songs in history.  Hadar can be found touring virtually with her brand new cutting edge LIVE FULL BAND VIRTUAL CONCERT of "It Never Was you", featuring the performance of the music from the album along with the stories behind the compositions and composers and their uniquely Jewish origins. The revolutionary production and graphics as well as Hadar's soulful vocals, heartfelt delivery and contemporary arrangements offer a new interpretation of beloved jazz standards, that aim to revive a love of them in the public consciousness. 

Bio - Long

From nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare defense trainer to contemporary Jewish music touring artist, to singing Jazz standards for Barack Obama, New York City based vocalist, songwriter, and performer Hadar has one of the most diverse and interesting career trajectories in the music business today.   Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Hadar’s early singing career began with appearances on national Israeli television, radio, and sporting events, including the first season of Israeli Idol. Upon completing her mandatory army service, Hadar spent two years at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in Tel Aviv before completing her degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she graduated with honors.

Since moving to NYC in 2006, Hadar has established herself as a prolific songwriter and recording artist.  She has credits on more than ten commercial releases and four placements in film and TV, most notably in the hit Netflix series, Startup, starring Adam Brody, Martin Freeman & Ron Perlman.  As a touring artist, Hadar has made over 80 appearances across the country each year as a solo artist and with her two side projects “We Are The Northern Lights” and “Hadar and Sheldon.” 

In 2018, Hadar was invited to perform at receptions for an international speaker series featuring Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Madeleine Albright, Nikki Haley, and Ehud Barak to name a few.  While rehearsing tunes from the “Great American Songbook” in support of these gigs, Hadar was inspired by the outsized contribution of Jewish songwriters to Jazz music and “The Standards.”  Less than six weeks later, Hadar finished recording her Jazz debut album titled “It Never Was You” featuring 10 of the most iconic Jazz Standards written by Jewish songwriters.  The album was released in December of 2019 and positively received by numerous American and Israeli media outlets.  

In 2020, when the pandemic began, Hadar stayed busy taking her talents online and performing the “It Never Was You” storyteller concert to viewers on more than 4500 devices across the country.  Hadar also partnered with her husband Sheldon Low to create, produce, and perform an annual virtual concert and fundraiser called “Yom Ha’atzmaut Across North America” which has gathered more than 120 participating communities in the US and Canada and raised over $42k for Covid and hunger relief.

In the Fall of 2021, Hadar began working on “Witchcraft - The Women of the Great American Songbook” as a follow up to “It Never Was You.”  Slated for release in the Fall of 2023, “Witchcraft” will highlight the contribution of women writers to the Great American Songbook. 

Hadar lives in beautiful Harlem, New York with her husband Sheldon Low and her daughter Amelia. 

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