ARTICLES & REVIEWS

THERE’S BEAUTY ENOUGH IN BEING HERE - REVIEWS

“Lemish creates a space that feels calm, intentional, and quietly powerful. The music breathes, listens, and unfolds with grace, and it’s a beautiful reminder of how grounding it can feel to simply be where you are…This record is a gift of stillness and connection, and it stands as a radiant expression of curiosity, compassion, and musical openness.” Eric Alper

“Lemish builds a set of nine pieces bathed in a spirit of poetic gentleness, yet animated by a lively, unhurried energy. One notes the beauty of the themes, their simple but refined development, and the understated, appealing improvisations by Lemish…In The Poignancy of Now, Lemish brings a luminosity one wouldn’t expect in Schumann. The intuition is sound, and the result is pleasantly lyrical and successful. This, in fact, is one of the album’s defining traits: the radiant quality of its harmonies and sonic architecture. A sense of benevolence emanates from the work.” Frédéric Cardin – PANM360

“With There’s beauty enough in being here, Lemish reaffirms his place as a visionary Canadian jazz artist whose work builds bridges across cultures and traditions. The result is a recording full of intimacy, depth, and radiant beauty.” | Christopher Gonda -V13                        

“A consummate musician on every front – player, composer, accompanist, collaborator, innovator, pedagogue – Lemish continues on his “trademark” multicultural, boundary- expanding, genre-blurring journey with this album…With ease and sensitivity, this all-star quartet delivers the contemplative, mysterious, expansive and hopeful sounds and sensibilities that permeate the album… There’s more than enough beauty here.” | Sharna Searle, The WholeNote       

“Together, these four musicians – based on Lemish's original compositions – have created a modern, dynamic and multifaceted form of jazz music. The templates are really good, and the interplay between the four musicians is excellent. So as a listener, you end up with an expression that is condensed, technically solid and artistically captivatingly beautiful… The new compositions, as well as the old one…are eminent works – beautifully and powerfully performed.” Ivan Rod (Denmark)

“an album of deep intimacy and radiant beauty.” DJ El Chino – Solar Latin Club (Colombia)

“Pianist and composer Noam Lemish sits at the crossroads of cultures, philosophies, and sounds. For him, music is not a matter of style but of spirit. His compositions, both structured and deeply personal, reflect a mind that draws from many wells: the precision of classical form, the improvisational pulse of jazz, and the restless questioning of poetry… Listening to his music is like reading a book: each track unfolds with the pacing of a narrative, inviting contemplation rather than command… this is a work meant to be experienced whole, in its simplicity, its unity, its singular sense of wonder. Lemish doesn’t just compose; he constructs spaces where thought and emotion coexist, where sound itself becomes a language of reflection. In an age of fleeting playlists, his music asks us, gently but insistently, to listen, and to linger.” Thierry De Clemensat – Paris Move (France)

“In the past, pianist Noam Lemish has explored everything from Himalayan folk music, Middle Eastern melodies and contemporary classical music. There’s Beauty Enough in Being Here has him exploring the intricacies and intimacies of working with a tight-knit quartet of like-minded musicians on a release full of lyricism, chromaticism and eclecticism.” Abe Goldstein – Papatamus Redux

“You are witnessing true musical greatness within the chemistry and impressive coherence that Lemish and his cohorts demonstrate. They hit all the right notes, as Lemish brightens your day with a truly upbeat performance.” Aaron Willschick – V13                                        

“The title track stands out with its chromatic beauty, quietly illuminating the preciousness of the moment.” Takehiko Tokiwa, Jazz Life (Japan)

"There's beauty enough in being here" is an extraordinary musical tour that draws upon Lemish's talent and experience in creating both jazz and classical works. "There's beauty enough in being here" lives up to its title, and is highly recommended.” Midwest Book Review 

“Through nine new original compositions, the quartet explores delicate textures, floating melodies, and blurred boundaries in deeply original compositions. It is a collection of beautiful musical moments.” David Reed - Belleville Intelligencer

RECENT INTERVIEWS

Neon Jazz Interview Series | Neon Jazz

Session Notes | Jazz FM 91.1: Toronto, ON

Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman | Podcast

JUNO AWARDS NOMINATION

“Professor and composer Noam Lemish strikes chord with new album, Book”. | York University YFile

“Israeli Jazz Composer Nominated for Canada’s Most Prestigious Award”. | Judy Maltz - Haaretz

“Looking forward to the JUNOs (after the fact)”. | Colin Story, The WholeNote

“York University’s Noam Lemish Nominated for 2024 JUNO Award in Jazz Category”. | York University Yfile

TWELVE - REVIEWS

“Twelve impresses on multiple levels, but perhaps most of all compositionally. Each one of the six pieces by Toronto-based pianist Noam Lemish is a vivid creation splendidly performed by a chamber-sized jazz orchestra featuring stellar Canadian players… Twelve is a dynamic and accomplished collection that casts Lemish in an exceptionally flattering light.” (Top Jazz Records of 2022: #28) | Ron Schepper - Textura

“Noam Lemish has created one of 2022's most delight-filled recordings.  The playing is crisp, the arrangements intelligent and thoughtful, and the melodies all stand out.  One cannot ask for more from an album other than one more like this, please!” and Best of 2022 | Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

“Twelve is exquisite…a masterful expression of joy.” | Sharna Searle, The WholeNote

“The Israeli / American Canadian, Noam Lemish, is in many ways a remarkable figure in the world of jazz. The music is extremely well written, extremely well arranged and extremely well delivered. The most beautiful, most accomplished and extraordinary, however, is Between Utopia and Destruction, which is partly based on a Soviet/Jewish lullaby by Isaak Dunayevsky, and partly based on a Ukrainian rhyme that was rediscovered in old archives a few years ago. Lemish's new composition – with that starting point – is simply masterful.” | Ivan Rod (Denmark)

“Twelve (TPR Records), by pianist/composer/co-producer Noam Lemish, is a sprawling, adventurous, circuitous journey of six originals fleshed out by a village of like-minded souls…fill the air with majesty, wit, chops, exactitude and beauty.” | Mike Greenblatt – Goldmine Magazine

“Beethoven’s 7th Visit to Romania (3) is a masterpiece…A new talent for large ensembles has also emerged.” | Takehiko Tokiwa, Jazz Life (Japan)

“The Toronto resident and pianist Noam Lemish doesn’t make music that is easy to categorize, but it is easy to enjoy…A genre-bending, cultured and artistic affair, Lemish and company make for a unique jazz adventure that you can listen to repeatedly with an equal amount of intrigue.” | Take Effect

“This is music with ample meat on its bones, six elaborate yet persuasive motifs whose pathways should be traversed more than once to earn one's understanding and appreciation.” | Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

“… Legends sit side-by-side with younger rising stars… Song For Lia opens the album and immediately grabs the listener’s attention. Ted Quinlan’s guitar playing is superb on this one, and on Rebirth.” | David Reed, Belleville Intelligencer

“The songs throughout Twelve reveal Lemish’s diverse influences and creativity; there are some Eastern European Jewish flourishes but he has figured out how to integrate it imperceptibly into Western music forms… “Rebirth,” is a testament to Noam Lemish’s attention to detail. A through-composed piece like the other songs, throwing off so many great thoughtful motifs and other memorable moments, giving everyone a feature that never feels forced.” | S. Victor Aaron, Something Else!

“For me, it has become one of the most interesting musical experiences of this year.” | Leonid Auskern, Jazz Quad (Russia)

“An inventive, immensely ambitious work, Twelve is a "must-have" for connoisseurs of original jazz and highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections.” | Midwest Book Review

ERLEBNISSE - REVIEWS

“This is a masterpiece of solo piano.” | David Reed, Kingston Whig-Standard

“…all these sonic experiences suggest the wide-ranging emotional territories of Lemish’s aesthetic, intimate and thoughtful, lyrical and vulnerable, but also adventurous and fierce.” | Eyal Hareuveni, Salt Peanuts

“A worthy solo statement, Erlebnisse should garner increased visibility for a pianist whose creativity and talent more than justify it.” | Troy Dostert, All About Jazz

“Lemish takes us along on his soul-baring, improvisational journey, which is nothing short of stunning…Infused with elements of jazz, classical and Middle Eastern music, Jewish folk and Israeli popular song, Lemish’s extemporizations are at times poignant, propulsive, yearning, melancholic, contemplative and quixotic. And they are masterful.” | Sharna Searle, The WholeNote

“A record that’s as diverse as Lemish’s heritage, Erlebnisse embraces jazz, classical and chamber ideas, and much like the title states (Erlebnisse is German for ‘deeply felt experience’), this single take and real time affair is one that comes with a unique emotional experience that you’ll likely be taken with immediately.” | Tom Haugen – Take Effect

“There are myriad musical references but mostly, this is the pianist connecting his inner world to the piano keys. What one hears in this music is Lemish's sense of wonder, his love of exploration, and who he was at the time of and on the day of the recording.  Shed your own expectations, step into the pianist's world, and listen. Be open. Be vulnerable. Noam Lemish can't hope for more than that.” | Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

“Lemish displays a touch of pinpoint accuracy, sharp and succinct at times, deftly gentle and soft at others, as he paints his pictures on his first recorded solo piano outing. He seems to experience things deeply, and he translates these feelings to his piano with eloquence and verve.” | Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz

“The tracks span a gamut of emotions and trace a mind-expanding journey brimming with creativity, inspiration, and adventure. An extraordinary soundscape sparking dreams, desires, and passions, Erlebnisse is highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of the extraordinary.” | The Midwest Book Review

“The sixteen pieces on this album will take you on emotional journeys, and provide a space for contemplation on your own experiences and memories. Each of these tracks was recorded in a single take, capturing the moment, and giving the album an honest and intimate feel.” | Michael Doherty

PARDES - REVIEWS

"… listening to Pardes, the Amos Hoffman and Noam Lemish Quartet’s first collaborative CD release, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported to a musically intoxicating Garden of Eden… Each track is worthy of its own review…Plug into Pardes and enjoy your stay in paradise!" | Sharna Searle, The WholeNote

"The Perfect Package...at once accessible and unique" | Raul da Gama, Toronto Music Report

"...a delectable listening experience. Hoffman and Lemish have done a wonderful job of excavating these tunes and bringing them to fresh, toe-tapping life." | Lesley Carter, Great Dark Wonder

"Both Hoffman and Lemish are highly talented melodic improvisers, and this album may represent their best recorded effort to date." | Rob Rosenblum, All About Jazz

"Great playing by all! The musicians and the music cross many styles and again shows how when combined, the East and West merge to form something beautiful and unique" | Brice Boorman, Chalked Up Reviews

"This album works like a dream...pure magic!" | Martin Delia, The Jazz Music Blog

"The slippery modes of Near Eastern music lend themselves easily enough to jazz and have been material for jazz musicians as far back as Duke Ellington’s “Caravan.” On Pardes, guitarist-oud player Amos Hoffman and pianist Noam Lemish perform a lush set of compositions in that manner, steeped in the particular traditions of Sephardic Jews." | Morton Shlabotnik, Shepherd Express

"providing the listener with a deeply fascinating, multi-faceted expression, which fills one with curiosity, interest in tradition, and flair for its renewal. The music performed is of virtuoso caliber, technically top-notch and artistically a multitude of refreshing temptations." (Translated from Danish)| Ivan Rod

"Sensuous Panoramas..." | George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

VARIOUS ARTICLES

“Improvisation, friendship and global influences drive York U prof’s new album” | York University Yfile

“The Global Journey of Noam Lemish”. | Christian Kallen - Healdsburg Tribune

“Pianist and Sonoma State Alum Returns to Bay Area for Jazz Shows”. | Andrew Gilbert, The Jewish News of Northern California

“Noam Lemish – Jazz Pianist, Composer, Improvisor, Educator”. | David Eisenstadt, THEJ.CA

Haaretz Article Featuring “Adon Haslichot” | Yotam Ziv, Haaretz (Israel)

“Hoffman Lemish Quartet highlights Israeli music in 4 SF Bay Area gigs” | Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News

”Jazz pianist teams up with his musical idol for tour" | Ruth Schweitzer, The Canadian Jewish News

“An Israeli-Iranian musical initiative set to bridge the divide” | Ruth Schweitzer, The Canadian Jewish News

“U of T holds conference on Jewish music” | Ruth Schweitzer, The Canadian Jewish News

“A Musical Affair: U of T coalition suggests that two conflicting nations find harmony through music” | Maryam Rahimi Shahmirzadi, The Varsity

Israeli-Iranian Musical Initiative Ashkenaz Festival Preview | Trish Crawford, Toronto Star

“In Toronto, Iranians and Israelis Make Music, Not War” | Judy Maltz, HAARETZ Published also in HAARETZ in Hebrew

“Deep Listening, Jazz pianist Noam Lemish returns from Bhutan for album release concert” | Nicolas Grizzle, The North Bay Bohemian

“Noam Lemish: Swinging in Shangri-La” | Gilbert, Andrew. Berkeleyside

“Noam Lemish and the music of Bhutan” | Dan Tylor, The Press Democrat

“Celebrating Mel Graves, Fearless jazz bassist fuses hope into new work as he battles illness” | Dan Taylor, The Press Democrat

Singin’ the Blues? Sonoma County’s jazz scene tries to keep its head above water | Cassandra Landry, Metroactive

“2005 Ambrose R. Nichols Jr. Scholarship Recipient Noam Lemish” | Sonoma State University Alumni Network

VARIOUS REVIEWS

“A great night of worldly international jazz…Lemish is a prolific pianist. Precise lyrical combinations jump off the keys” | Jazz Buffalo

"Jazz from Israel and elsewhere captivates" | Eileen Wingard, San Diego Jewish World

"Exuberant Jazz Arrangements of Jewish Songs..." | Ruth Schweitzer, The Canadian Jewish News

"Strong melodies and memorable rhythms...This was a strongly interactive performance, with each musician contributing to the interlaced sound: Hoffman with strongly-outlined rhythms ringing out on oud and guitar, Lemish with both flowing romantic piano passages and intense flurries of notes...Throughout, the audience applauded strongly and warmly." | Alayne McGregor, Ottawa Jazz Scene

"Nothing short of captivating. Amos Hoffman and Noam Lemish displayed a level of world-class musicianship that will certainly rank as one of the best this year and years to come...It ended with a rousing standing ovation and a night to remember!" | Tony Zambito, JazzBuffalo

“…the riveting Song for Lia” | Raul da Gama, The WholeNote (University of Toronto 12TET Trillium Falls Review)

“Converging Paths: Musical group bridges Israeli, Iranian divide” | Eilsa Birnbaum, SEE Change Magazine

“‘I equal I’ Breaks Musical Ground for Israeli-Iranian Dialogue” | Joy Tanner, BeMused Network Blog

“Perhaps the most striking work here is pianist Noam Lemish’s Rebirth, a work of continuous development that serves as a springboard for a chain of quietly impassioned solos…Along the way there’s a stunning passage of cascading collective improvisation that’s as admirable for its restraint as for its sense of liberation” | Stuart Broomer, The WholeNote (Review of University of Toronto 12TET recording Rebirth)

“Noam Lemish / George Marsh: Nightfall (2013)” | Eyal Hareuveni, All About Jazz.

“Opening Night a Sell-out for Jazz Festival” | Christian Kallen, Healdsburg Patch

VARIOUS INTERVIEWS

Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman | Podcast

On Corby’s Orbit with Paul Corby | Toronto, ON

Interview on Canadiana Suite | 101.5 UMFM (Winnipeg, MB)

With David Dalle | CKCU FM 93.1 (Ottawa, ON)

Interview with Noam Lemish | Chelsea McBride, Toronto's Spectrum Music

“Noam Lemish & The Israeli-Iranian Musical Initiative” | Ben Dietschi, Spectrum Music’s Blog

“A Suite Fit for a King” | Sesaya Arts