Lena Bloch, originally from Moscow, Russia, immigrated to Israel to study at Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in 1990. She has since traveled the globe, performing in various venues in Israel, Holland and Germany as well as in Canada, Russia and Slovenia. Lena was awarded the “Outstanding Performance Award” in 1994 after she received a full scholarship to Jazz In July Workshop. She studied with Yusef Lateef, Billy Taylor and Yusef Lateef. In 1999, Lena received her Artist Diploma cum laude at Cologne Conservatory. She studied with John Marshall and Keith Copeland, two of the most prominent American jazz musicians. Lena received a full scholarship in 1999 to Jazz Workshop, Banff, Canada. There she studied with Joe Lovano and Kenny Werner. Lee Konitz was her teacher until recent. Lena met Lee Konitz in 2001. Lee introduced Lena Tristano’s music to her, particularly Warne Marsh. Lena earned her Master’s of Music in Jazz Studies and Composition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in 2006. She was studying with Salvatore Macchia as well as Jeff Holmes. She was the Jazz Ensemble’s first tenor. In addition to a “Downbeat Student Award”, 2005, and a MENC Award 2004, she also played in the Jazz Ensemble. Lena has been leading her own trio and quartet, as well as writing and arranging music since 1993. Lena’s unique cultural background has helped her to create a unique style. Her musical influences range from European Classical tradition through Middle Eastern and Turkish jazz. Lena discovered Arabic, Persian, and Turkish music while living in Germany. She also played in the “Embryo”, a legendary band that she toured Italy with. Lena’s compositions incorporate Middle-Eastern, Eastern European and jazz idiom elements, creating a unique sound. Lena is an innovative improviser as well as a refreshing performer with standard jazz material. Lena has performed and met with many jazz masters and musicians in Europe, including Mal Waldron and Johnny Griffin, Keith Copeland and Keith Copeland. Steve Reid, a legendary jazz percussionist, was her friend and she recorded a CD together called “Steve Reid Live in Europe”. Lena was a percussionist in the jazz era and worked with Vishnu Wood (Arturo O’Farrill), George Schuller, Billy Mintzo, Roberta Pickett, Dave Shapiro. She also recorded a CD, “Steve Reid Live In Europe”, with Bill Wurtzel, Kim Clarke. Bertha Hope, Ted Brown. Lee Konitz invited Lena along with his quinet to Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola’s summer 2008 with the band that included Ray Drummond, Dan Tepfer and Peter Bernstein. Lena recorded some CD material in 2009 with Vadim Nesselovskyi (piano) and George Kaye (bass). Birdland, Dizzy’s Club Coke-Cola and Smalls Jazz Club are some of the venues Lena has performed at, including St.Peter Church Jazz Ministry. St.Marks Church, Sofia’s Church, Fat Cat, Puppets. 5C is another venue. Lena Bloch is a member of several other bands such as “Ambassadors of Light (Vermont), Vermont Jazz Center Big Band and Vishnu Wood Safari East. She has also performed with Kim Clarke’s Inner Circle and Bill Wurtzel Trio. Most recently, she was a guest artist with Brad Linde Ensemble, Lester Young Birthday Tribute, and Jimmy Giuffre-Gerry Mulligan projects. Festivals: Red Sea Jazz Festival, Eilat, Israel 1990 Leipziger Jazz Newcomers Competition winner – Lepzig Germany 2000 Leverkusener Jazz Tag – Leverkusen Germany 2001 Ingolstadter Jazz Tages – Ingolstadt Germany 2002 Women In Jazz Festival, Amherst MA USA 2004 Lady Got Chops Festival, New York City NY USA 2004, 2010 and 2011 Temple Of The Arts Jazz Festival.
