Kobi Arad
Israeli-born American musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kobi Yakob Arad (Hebrew: קובי ארד; born: October 2, 1981) is an Israeli-born[1] American jazz pianist,[2] composer, and music producer. He is known for being the pianist, vocalist, and bandleader of the Kobi Arad Band.[3] He has won a Hollywood Music in Media (HMMA) Award[4] and an Independent Music Award,[5] both for his work as a solo artist and as part of the Kobi Arad Band. In 2025, he won a Hollywood Independent Music Award.[6]
October 2, 1981
Kobi Arad קובי ארד | |
|---|---|
Kobi Arad (right) with Stevie Wonder (left) | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Kobi Yakob Arad October 2, 1981 |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, composer, producer |
| Instruments | Piano, keyboard, synthesizer, vocals |
| Member of | Kobi Arad Band |
He has collaborated with artists such as Stevie Wonder,[7] Cindy and Carlos Santana, Stewart Copeland, Jack DeJohnette, and Roy Ayers.[8][3]
Early life and education
Arad was born on October 2, 1981[9] and raised in Haifa, Israel.[1] He earned his bachelor's degree at Tel Aviv University and became the first musician to earn a doctorate in contemporary improvisation and third stream from the New England Conservatory of Music.[3][1]
Career
While living in Israel, Arad participated as a keyboardist in a trio with Asaf Sirkis and Gabriel Mayer in the 1990s.[10] Arad also collaborated with Stevie Wonder and his manager, Stephanie Andrews at the Berklee Performance Center in 2005.
Arad released his album Sparks of Understanding in 2009, which featured an appearance from drummer Bob Moses.
Arad collaborated with recording engineer Robert Margouleff on The Experience Project in 2015.[11] In 2015, he also released the albums Webern Re-Visioned—which consisted of re-imaginings of works by Anton Webern, and Superflow, which is a collaboration with Roy Ayers, featuring bassist Jonathan Levy.
He also recorded Ellington Upside Down, a Duke Ellington tribute CD, with the Kobi Arad Band.[7] The album's mashup of “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “It Don't Mean a Thing” was nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental at the 17th Independent Music Awards (2019).[5] Arad's album Segments went on to win Best Jazz Instrumental in the album category at the same event.[5]
At the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media (HMMA) Awards, Arad won the Independent Music Artist award in Best Jazz for his performance of “Bemsha Swing” by Thelonious Monk.[4]
On June 12, 2024, Arad was nominated for the second time for the Hollywood Independent Music Awards with 'Fields' for Best Jazz Fusion (Best piano solo / collab). This nomination features Victor Wooten, Cindy Blackman Santana, Ricky Kej & Lonnie Park.[12]
On July 31, 2025, his composition 'Weave' (using his improvisation–composition hybrid-based system 'Anchor Lines') won him a Hollywood Independent Music Award for Best Jazz.[6]
In 2025, Arad was invited by Ricky Kej and Lonnie Park to collaborate as Executive Producer and sound advisor on their ambitious project 'Gandhi,' featuring Stewart Copeland.[8]
Discography (selected)
Albums
- Sparks of Understanding (2009)
- Ancient Novice (2009)[13]
- Inner Hymns (2012)[11]
- The Experience Project (2015)[11]
- Webern Re-Visioned (2015)
- Superflow (2015)
- Cubism - Hyper-Dimensional Jazz (2016)[14]
- Flux - A Song Cycle for Solo Fender Rhodes (2017)[14]
- Ellington Upside Down (2017)[7]
- Segments (2018)[5]
- Intonations (2019)[15]
- Sketches of Monk (2020)[15]
- Warping (2024)[16][17]
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Nomination | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 17th Independent Music Awards | Segments (album) | Best Jazz Instrumental | Won |
| 2021 | Hollywood Music in Media (HMMA) Awards | “Bemsha Swing” by Thelonious Monk | Independent Music Artist award in Best Jazz | Won |
| 2022 | One Earth Awards | “Bemsha Swing” by Thelonious Monk | Best Jazz | Won[18] |
| 2024 | Hollywood Independent Music Awards | "Fields" | Best piano solo / collab | Nominated |
| 2025 | Hollywood Independent Music Awards | “Weave” | Best Jazz | Won |