Elad Sobol
Professor of Music, Sichuan Conservatory
China
I am very pleased with the sound, response and resonance of these reeds. After a breaking-in period, they really clicked for me and I was able to do everything I normally do on cane reeds. The consistency of response, particularly where I live which has extreme temperature and humidity changes, and because I play outdoors regularly, as well as the longevity and instant readiness of the reeds, is simply a bonus because none of that would mean a thing if they didn’t sound, respond, and feel great!
My journey to China has been a unique and interesting one. I grew up in LA and was sent to China with Peace Corps in 2013 and found a home and career that has really blossomed, as well as a community of wonderful local musicians and friends that I’ve been able to collaborate with and do amazing things.
Amazing things like leading the first bands to play authentic live music for the swing and salsa dancers in Chengdu, including 5 Chengdu Swing Festivals. I learned Chinese well enough to be able to lecture in Chinese both at the conservatory, where I teach jazz history, pop music analysis, student bands, and harmony, for jazz appreciation lectures for the general public as well as musicality masterclasses for the swing and salsa dancers throughout China, and online class series broadcasted nationwide. Amazing things like 5 Chengdu Jazz Festivals, 2 Beijing jazz festivals with the Sichuan Conservatory Big Band, of which I am assistant conductor, performing some of my arrangements, and most recently the release of my debut album Vicissitudes and countless performances with numerous bands in professional settings for 9+ years.
Jazz-leaning but far from traditional. I'm more interested in exploring sonic and emotional possibilities, telling stories, and finding expressive avenues by any means necessary, than upholding traditions, though I firmly believe in learning and listening to as much as possible in order to grow ones understanding of music. I have a wide range of influences and I'm not afraid of mixing it all up in the endeavor of finding something new.
This past year I’ve gone through tremendous changes, and that’s what Vicissitudes is all about. It’s a concept album that takes one through a journey – every song is about drastic changes, displaying a different angle of life, and telling my personal story. I hope you will join me on this journey.
Professor of Music, Assistant Big Band Conductor, Jazz Department, Sichuan Conservatory, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 2015-present: Jazz History, Pop Music Analysis, student jazz ensembles. UCSC Music 2006, SJSU Music Education 2010. Peace Corps RPCV China, 2013-2015. Alto & Bari Sax, Flute, EWI, Composing, Arranging.