Background

Efrat is a violinist, violist, singer, arranger, and composer. Originally a classically trained violinist, she began her training with Lev Belenky in classical and studied klezmer music with her father. Growing up in the south she perfected and performed bluegrass, country, blues, world music, and folk. She met David Baker at Indiana University, where she majored in Music Performance. By him, she was inspired to study jazz. During her Masters, Efrat continued with her classical and jazz while gaining experience as a soloist and guest musician playing pop, ethnic, klezmer, bluegrass, latin, gypsy and many more!

WHAT HAS SHE DONE:

• Since moving to NY Efrat has been very busy recording and performing! Her very first recording in NY, Something Beautiful (Bobbie Eakes-ABC/All My Children, David Cohen) was on the jazz billboard chart for over 5 weeks. Bobbies remake of No More Lonely Nights (Paul McCartney) was featured on the former BEATLES very own website for three months with Efrats violin soaring over the top! Since her arrival in New York she has been on the stage with Harry Whitaker, Joe Magnarelli, Eric McPherson, Sandro Albert (grammy nominee for Best New Latin Album-2005!!!), Saul Rubin (Roy Hargrove), Spike Wilner (Planet Jazz), Soren Moller (Dick Oatts), Cheronee Wade, Dihann Moore, Cynthia Holiday, Carmen Rae, Chip Crawford, Tim Perryman, and Hymie Rivera. She was also concertmaster for the Olivia Newton John Orchestra (Grease)
  
• Since her arrival in NY Efrat has also worked in the studio with Dennis Davis (Stevie Wonder, David Bowie), Ernest Manigo (Alicia Keys), Red Spyda, Seven Aurelius (Ja Rule), Ja Rule, Ashanti, Dana Leong, Kenny Simmons, and many more! :
  
• Before her arrival in NY she was concertmaster of both the Studio Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra at University of Tennessee.
  
• As a singer/violinist performer she took the stage at the Knoxville Museum of Art "Alive after Five"
  
• Was the star performer with the "Tennessee Schmaltz"
  
• Was the 1st violinist in "The Rusty Strings" jazz quintet
  
• Toured with the International Youth Orchestra under Zubin Mehta.

Efrat's groups include:

• Jade Quartet
  
• EFRAT & Friends

Influenced by:

• Classical Studies with Mark Zelmanovich, Yuval Yaron, Henryk Kowalski, Steven Boe
  
• Jazz lessons with David Baker, Patty Coker & Jerry Coker, Rusty Holloway, Joe Magnarelli (Harry Connick Jr.)
  
• Country/Bluegrass studies with Charlie Acuff (Grand Ole Opry, Museum of Appalachia) and Red Wilson