Tell us your name?
Arnan Raz
Where are you originally from/ where did you grow up?
I'm from Kibbutz Merchavia, located in the North of Israel.
Where else have you lived?
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Brooklyn
Where do you reside now and what brought you here?
I live in Bushwick - I came to NYC because of the Jazz scene.
What pays the bills (day job(s))?
Teaching music
What does Innovoke mean to you?
Discover, embrace and fuel your creative and entrepreneurial spirit. To have the courage to make honest and beautiful art. Also, not to be afraid of who I am.
What’s your passion or hustle (How do you Innovoke)?
I create music to stay sane and to make sense of this world. My satisfaction is when I write good music and get the chance to play to people hoping that they will enjoy and feel a range of emotions. I get inspired by other musicians and artists who deliver a clear message through their art. I hope to inspire people the same way.
What do you like to create?
I want to create a following. A community of musicians and people who follow us and are interested in what we're doing.
What’s a favorite creation you’ve made or been a part of?
I'm proud of all the albums I have recorded. I'm also proud of The Side Project, a saxophone quartet band that allowed me to meet many singers in the NYC scene.
How did you get interested in (your trade) initially?
I come from a musical family and was exposed to it at a very young age. My mother, brother, grandfather, uncle, and cousin are all musicians. I saw a saxophone somewhere and I thought it was a beautiful-looking instrument.
What flipped your switch to go after your dream/ passion/ hustle?
Positive feedback from family and friends that I received at a young age.
How do you balance your hustle (or side-hustle) with the rest of your life?
It's challenging, but I try to find other hobbies and things I like to do outside of music.
How do you deal with fear and doubt?
I try to stay positive and by sticking to my routine.
What routines do you follow each day?
Practicing saxophone in the morning for two hours; 6x a week and then teaching later in the day.
How do you work / create?
Many times I use logic (software) to record and experiment with different sounds and instruments. I try to create a version of how I imagine playing it with a band would sound.
When do you feel most creative?
I specifically carve out time with my computer and create something. It's a decision to sit and create. I haven't experienced a time where out of the blue music comes to me.
Is there something you can't live without while in your creative process (ex. Studio)?
I have to have a keyboard and privacy.
How do you share what you create with friends and family?
Social media - Instagram/Facebook & email.
What sets your business/ art apart from others in your industry/ space?
My unique voice on the saxophone and way of composing music.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
I would go out more to network and be more confident with my playing.
How does where you’re from and / or where you live influence your work?
Growing up in a commune is a vibe. Now living in NYC, I am exposed to the best artists in the world. I am influenced by the sounds of different cultures that are being played throughout NY.
What are you working on now?
I have a few different projects/bands. I am releasing two singles with a new band called Electric Pool in February and later this year a full album with the same band. In addition, I am releasing another full-length album again with a new project called Bunnicula in March. Lastly, I lead my own Jazz band and perform in NYC and we're planning to record new material once I'm financially ready.
Bunnicula
Electric Pool
Arnan Raz Music
The Side Project
What would you love to create/ work on / be a part of?
I want to play more live shows with all the bands I'm currently working with.
Who is someone you would love to create with?
Bill Frisell, Robert Glassper, FlyingLotus, Medlib, and Yusef Dayes.
What do you hope people take away from your art?
Different scales of emotions.
How do you want to be remembered?
As one of the greatest saxophone players that ever lived. :)
Where can people find you or your work
Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube. Instagram, Facebook, and website. arnanrazmusic.com
How would you describe your fashion style?
Sweats, sweaters, and jeans.
What are some of your favorite brands?
Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Levi's, Champion, and Innovoke.
How important is music in your life?
It's an obsession.
When I moved to NY I worked as a barista at a coffee shop on 7th ave and 55th street. I was also teaching Hebrew at a Hebrew school. I still do that because the money is good, and it's easy for me. The hours are also great since I can make music in the mornings and perform in the evenings.
I am absolutely determined to keep creating original music and put my albums out. And overall to keep trying to be creative.
I am into Cuban, and African music at the moment. Anything that is traditional and rhythmic.
I've been meeting this old Cuban percussionist and he is teaching me how to play the Congas. The way he is teaching me is the old-school way. He's just showing me how to do something and I need to repeat it. Just trying to "feel" it and learn by example, rather than look at books or notes like they teach music at university. I really dig it and enjoy it and find that's a better way to learn.
I could probably listen to any ofJohn Coltrane's album's over and over again. Outside of jazz - it would probably be The Wall by Michael Jackson or "Erev Erev" by Shalom Chanoch" - an Israeli singer who nobody outside of Israel knows, but I grew up on his music.
I would like to be remembered as a good person and a fruitful artist.
What genre of music do you love?
Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop, R&B, and classical.
Which artists do you love?
John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Nas, Jay-Z, Fela Kuti, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles
What genre of film / movies do you love?
History/Documentaries
What films or movies do you love?
I like Quentin Tarantino and Pedro Almodovar movies
Who/ what do you follow on Social-Media?
I follow musicians and people in the art world.
Any streaming recommendations (ex. Netflix,Hulu Shows)?
HBO
