Ezra Axelrod
Encyclopedia
Ezra Axelrod is an American singer, composer, pianist and recording artist and gay rights activist based in London. Axelrod is one of a small number of openly gay recording artists to explore queer identity explicitly through his music. In 2010, to create a platform for his work and that of other alternative artists, Axelrod launched The Menagerie, a series that served as a platform for cutting-edge performers and cultural practitioners. The Menagerie hosted a residency by internationally acclaimed composer Errollyn Wallen. Errollyn Wallen
.
Axelrod studied voice, composition and piano at Middlebury College
, in Vermont, before moving to London in 2008. During his time at Middlebury, he enjoyed the company of a small group of highly respected intellectuals, including (but not limited to) Daphne Morrison, David Restrepo (now Axelrod's partner), Nima Alidoust, Zsofia Young and Carolina Caeiro. To this day, their influence can be seen across Axelrod's artistic career.
Axelrod has also been linked to the Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar
, with elements of la movida madrileña
appearing in Axelrod's work, and the songs "Tajabone" and "Volver
" appearing in Axelrod's repertoire, which feature in the director's films Todo sobre mi madre and Volver
.
Axelrod grew up primarily in La Grande, Oregon where his parents are writing professors at Eastern Oregon University. He has lived in Madrid, Spain, Middlebury, Vermont, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Washington, DC, Bogotá, Colombia and currently resides in London
. He has one brother, Josh.
Axelrod has also written chamber music, including "The Border" string quartet, recorded by The Takacs Quartet
at Middlebury College
in 2007, and "The Vilnius Duet" for orchestra and two sopranos.
, Aterciopelados
, and Andrés Cepeda
. The two decided to start work on Axelrod's second album, American Motel, together in Bogotá, Colombia, with a large ensemble of Colombian musicians including international peace activist, percussionist and bassist César López
.. The first single, Fútbol y Mangos, was released in Latin America and worldwide in March 2011.
Patria (EP 2009)
Around Here (Compilation 2009)
"American Motel" (2011, in production)
Soundtrack for La milagrosa (2009, dir. Sam Morril)
)
The American Motel World Tour, began January 8th, 2011: USA, Colombia, Argentina, UK, Europe.
Axelrod debuted his new live show "Songs from the American Motel" on July 14th at London's Bush Hall.
Errollyn Wallen
Errollyn Wallen is a Belize born, British composer. She was the first black woman to have a work performed at The Proms She studied composition at Goldsmith's College and at Kings College, London University...
.
Axelrod studied voice, composition and piano at Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
, in Vermont, before moving to London in 2008. During his time at Middlebury, he enjoyed the company of a small group of highly respected intellectuals, including (but not limited to) Daphne Morrison, David Restrepo (now Axelrod's partner), Nima Alidoust, Zsofia Young and Carolina Caeiro. To this day, their influence can be seen across Axelrod's artistic career.
Axelrod has also been linked to the Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar
Pedro Almodóvar
Pedro Almodóvar Caballero is a Spanish film director, screenwriter and producer.Almodóvar is arguably the most successful and internationally known Spanish filmmaker of his generation. His films, marked by complex narratives, employ the codes of melodrama and use elements of pop culture, popular...
, with elements of la movida madrileña
La Movida Madrileña
La Movida Madrileña was a countercultural movement that took place mainly in Madrid during the Spanish transition after Francisco Franco's death in 1975...
appearing in Axelrod's work, and the songs "Tajabone" and "Volver
Volver
Volver is a 2006 Spanish dramatic comedy film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Headed by actress Penélope Cruz, the film features an ensemble cast starring Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, and Chus Lampreave...
" appearing in Axelrod's repertoire, which feature in the director's films Todo sobre mi madre and Volver
Volver
Volver is a 2006 Spanish dramatic comedy film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Headed by actress Penélope Cruz, the film features an ensemble cast starring Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, and Chus Lampreave...
.
Axelrod grew up primarily in La Grande, Oregon where his parents are writing professors at Eastern Oregon University. He has lived in Madrid, Spain, Middlebury, Vermont, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Washington, DC, Bogotá, Colombia and currently resides in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He has one brother, Josh.
Musical style
Axelrod's style of music mixes his western roots, classical formation and exposure to UK rock.. His compositions have been described as "subtle but intense" and tend to focus on themes of love, lust, and conflict.Axelrod has also written chamber music, including "The Border" string quartet, recorded by The Takacs Quartet
Takács Quartet
The Takács Quartet is a string quartet, founded in Hungary, and now based in Boulder, Colorado, United States.- History :In 1975, four students at the Music Academy in Budapest, Gabor Takács-Nagy , Károly Schranz , Gabor Ormai , and András Fejér formed The Takács Quartet...
at Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in 2007, and "The Vilnius Duet" for orchestra and two sopranos.
American Motel
In late 2010, Axelrod met Colombian producer Toño Castillo, who helped launch the careers of ShakiraShakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
, Aterciopelados
Aterciopelados
Aterciopelados , also referred to as los Aterciopelados on some albums and other promotional materials, are a rock band from Colombia. Led by Andrea Echeverri and Héctor Buitrago, they have been one of the first rock bands from Colombia to gain international notice and is among the country's top...
, and Andrés Cepeda
Andrés Cepeda
Andrés Cepeda Andrés Cepeda Andrés Cepeda (born July 7, 1973, is a popular Colombian singer and songwriter. He was born in Bogotá, the youngest of five children. He displayed an inclination towards music from an early age, studying piano since the age of 5. He composed his first piece at the age of...
. The two decided to start work on Axelrod's second album, American Motel, together in Bogotá, Colombia, with a large ensemble of Colombian musicians including international peace activist, percussionist and bassist César López
Cesar Lopez
César López is a Colombian musician. For the past several years, López has been part of a group, the Battalion of Immediate Artistic Reaction, which consists of various other musicians and activists seeking alternatives to the ever-present violence that plagues Colombia and its capital of Bogotá...
.. The first single, Fútbol y Mangos, was released in Latin America and worldwide in March 2011.
Discography
The Enfield Sessions (EP 2008)Patria (EP 2009)
Around Here (Compilation 2009)
"American Motel" (2011, in production)
Soundtrack for La milagrosa (2009, dir. Sam Morril)
Performances
The Lust for Wisdom Tour, April 5–17, 2010, Montreal (Cabaret Mado) to New York City (Kaufman CenterKaufman Center
Kaufman Center is a notable performing arts complex in New York City that houses Lucy Moses School, the Special Music School, and Merkin Concert Hall. Originally known as the Hebrew Arts School, it was founded in 1952 and is currently located on West 67th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam...
)
The American Motel World Tour, began January 8th, 2011: USA, Colombia, Argentina, UK, Europe.
Axelrod debuted his new live show "Songs from the American Motel" on July 14th at London's Bush Hall.