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The Levins
From left:
Aharon Bolsta
Percussion
T. Hallenbeck
Cello, mandocello, mandola
Ira Levin
Vocals & guitar
Julia Bordenaro Levin
Vocals & keyboard
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Deciding to join forces for the upliftment of the human spirit and to bring dignity to all, The Levins began
recording their first CD 36 (based on the legend of the thirty-six Lamed Vavniks: the silent saints who
keep the world in balance with their selfless benevolence) and are now releasing their 2nd CD My Friend Hafiz,
inspired by the Sufi poetry of the 14th Century master as translated by Daniel Ladinsky in his book The Gift.
The alchemy of these musicians has created a unique form of music somewhere between "World Folk" and
"Harmonious Pop."
The Levins are:
Ira Levin: guitar, vocals
Julia Levin: piano, vocals
When fortunate:
T. Hallenbeck: cello, mandocello
Liz Stuart: percussion
For special concerts:
Aharon Wheels Bolsta: tabla, percussion, Indian flutes
The Levins can perform as a four piece, a trio, duo or a larger ensemble. Email us at:
levins@thelevinsmusic.com
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Song leader, storyteller, multi instrumentalist, vocalist, lyricist, composer, recording artist, and educator
Ira Scott Levin is dedicated to making the world a happier place. A Theater major from Florida State
University, Ira has appeared on PBS Kids as the Singing Storyteller Uncle Eye. A born entertainer, he appeals
to preschoolers, seniors and almost every age in between them. He has appeared all over the globe including the
Fringe Festival in Scotland, The International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam, The Great American Music Hall
in SF, Paramount Movie Studios in Los Angeles, and as a featured performer for the United Way. He is a beloved
part of the Jewish community as a song leader and musician. As Uncle Eye, he promotes literacy and champions
childhood as Uncle Eye, and is able to blend most of what he has to offer with The Levins.
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Julia Bordenaro Levin tours with the internationally celebrated Jewish A cappella women's quartet,
Vocolot. In addition, she works as a session recording
artist and performs as a solo singer-songwriter and pianist performing throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
She has received numerous awards by the West Coast California Songwriter's Association and was featured on the
Women of the Bay compilation CD. She is also a music educator devoted to early childhood music instruction.
Radio Indy says of Julia: "Stunningly Intimate Vocals"
In addition, Ira and Julia tour nationwide with their original children's music and stories to promote literacy
and the library.
Ira: www.iralevin.com
Julia: www.vocolot.com
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Click for hi-res version
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Elizabeth Stuart has been a long-standing member of the Internationally acclaimed women's a cappella group
Vocolot. She also plays percussion with several Middle Eastern
ensembles, has performed live as a percussionist with the
Anne Bluethenthal and
Strong Current dance companies, and has composed and recorded
original music scores for three modern dance pieces choreographed by
Chimene Pollard.
Liz has arranged, sung, played keyboards and composed for musical theatre, rock and new music genres, and has over
twelve years' experience as a sound designer and video game producer. In addition to holding down percussion duties,
she sings harmonies and is a beloved member of The Levins!
www.myspace.com/lizstuartmusic
The rhythms of India combine with jazz and funk, West African polyrhythm, Balkan meters, and various Middle Eastern
rhythmic traditions in the drumming of Aharon Wheels Bolsta, whether the instrument be the drum set, the Indian
tabla, Egyptian dumbek, framedrum, shakers, Malian calebasse, vocal percussion or any of the vessels on his multifarious
palette of percussive sounds.
Aharon Wheels Bolsta is a drummer and percussionist working with an array of music-makers in the San Francisco Bay Area
and beyond. He began classical drum study at the age of eleven and continued with teachers of various styles, most notably
Jim Dalrymple of Cal Tjader's ensembles, renowned master Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, and Maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
Aharon has performed many times as tabla accompanist in traditional concerts at the Ali Akbar College of Music,
innumerous clubs and concert halls, special events and weddings. He also performs as a member of the Ali Akbar
College's Tabla Ensemble.
Aharon has also been blessed with opportunities to study traditional rhythms and music with masters (Souleyman An
of Habib Koite's Bamada) in Mali and Burkina Faso, with Egyptian master Souhail Kaspar in California, and various
Balkan music teachers.
Whatever the genre of the moment is, Aharon's sense of drumming contributes spice and melody to the standard role
of time-keeper.
www.rhythmwheels.com
T. Hallenbeck is not a WWF wrestler, but is a California Bay Area songwriter, singer, and
multinstrumentalist, and was a member of underground bands Harm Farm and later Crank in the 1990s. Since
taking up solo performance on guitar, mandolin, cello, and other stringed instruments, Hallenbeck has completed
four self-released solo albums: Atavist (1999), Secret Society (2002), Doubting Thomas (2004),
and Packrat (2006). At present, he is devoting his time to audio electronics, Qur'anic study, and some
songwriting here and there until he is shown the way to a new solo recording.
Smother.net had this to say about Packrat:
"Spotless acoustic folkster T. Hallenbeck's third offering builds on the budding genius of his Doubting Thomas
with a new album simply called Packrat. Well what this brooding singer/songwriter packrats is simply a myriad
of melodies, catchy hooks, and crafty lyrics. The instrumentation can sound as complex and organic as an orchestra at
times and other times it sounds like a stripped down coffeehouse joint. The devilishly talented Hallenbeck not only
sings and writes all the music but he also plays all the guitars as well as the dulcimer, mandola, cello, bass, viola,
keys, and mandolin. To utter "impressive" would be almost oxymoronic at this point. Perfect is perhaps
more fitting." -J-Sin
www.thallenbeck.com
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