Meet Sivan Arbel | Vocalist, Composer & Arranger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vocalist and Composer Sivan Arbel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sivan, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in a small village in Israel. Growing up, I went to a very unique elementary school, “Newe Shalom” where Muslims, Jews and Christians studied together. Side by side. As a kid I knew that my classmates and I come from different backgrounds and languages and all it meant was that we would just have extra classes in our curriculum such as learning all the different languages, different holidays and learning each other’s songs, dance styles & food. It was part of my day to day. When elementary school was over and I moved to a different school I was completely horrified by the racism toward Muslims and Christians I heard from my new classmates. And all I wanted to do is find ways to bridge that gap. The power of music is the way for me to bridge diversities.

Until this day I feel like going to “Newe Shalom” has put a big imprint on my life as how I approach the world, how I’m curious and am interested in different types of cultures and how that resonates in my music which has deep roots in jazz and infused by sounds and rhythms from all over the world. My curiosity and love of exploring music (and food!) from other cultures is what brought me to living as a freelance musician in New York City. Nowadays I’m working on my upcoming new album “Oneness” which will celebrate 10 years of my life and music making in NYC, so please stay tuned to it!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Remaining true to my artistic vision is my proudest achievement. Rooted in jazz yet infused with diverse influences from my Israeli heritage and global adventures, my music embodies dynamism and intimacy, blending composition with ample space for improvisation. I take pride in curating an experience with my band where listeners are transported and transformed collectively. However, my journey as an up-and-coming jazz vocalist and composer is not without its challenges. Despite the uniqueness of my sound, I grapple with finding a niche within existing scenes, often seeking out venues or creating spaces myself. In the music industry, personal connections are paramount, and I leverage this advantage to share my original compositions with new audiences. Embracing diverse sounds and rhythms fuels my creative process, though it poses challenges when marketing my music, as it defies easy categorization. Yet, it’s precisely this eclectic blend that makes my music special, offering listeners a truly distinct auditory journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a touring musician, I actually love getting a sense of the day to day life of a new place. So having my best friend visiting would probably be a combination of taking him/her to my local supermarket, hanging out with my friends and going on a nice walk in my favorite parks in the city such as Prospect park, the botanical gardens or a leisurely walk in Ditmas Park in Brooklyn. Going out to listen to live music at the Owl Music Parlour, Bar Bayeux or at Operation Gig music series during the summer. My favorite restaurants would be Ix restaurant in Brooklyn, Have some Indian food at Sahib in Manhattan and some of the local places in Ditams Park such as Cafe Tibet and Cafe Madeline or any of the Mexican places near the train station.If it’s a hot summer day, I would go to Brighton Beach and get some yummy treats from the Tashkent supermarket nearby.  Basically, anything to do with being in nature, good food and of course good company and music is all we would need!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In the tumultuous journey of an up-and-coming artist, the highs of a sold-out show are often balanced by the lows of quieter days. While the thrill of performing is undeniable, the true heartbeat of the music industry lies in the loyal listeners who ride the waves alongside the artists. Among these steadfast supporters stands Jim Grevatt, who has become one of our dedicated fans and true friends. As we continue to navigate the unpredictable currents of the industry, it is supporters like Jim who provide the steady anchor that keeps us motivated to do what we do and keep the music sailing forward. We love you, Jim!

Website: https://www.sivanarbel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sivan_arbel_music/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sivanarbelj/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhv4gU6yNH6NCYI-s_-MPA?view_as=subscriber

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sivan.arbel.music?_t=8ij7Kk2nlGw&_r=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hI5ycAErBR83EilwgGgfJ?si=TFdOFT3_QzimCMXkGQLPeg Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/change-of-light/1462620232

Image Credits
Photo 1: Paolo Soriani Photo 2: Flaca Photo 3: Dror Pikleny photos 4 & 5: “Bob Manley, The Loft at Hermit Woods” Photo 6: Maureen McGee Photo 7: Xenia Vogel