Ari Neufeld

Filed Under: Folk, Indie

Ari Neufeld is a self-made one man band, hailing most recently from the Okanagan. He plays guitar, piano, banjo (but usually guitar), while singing and keeping time through an amplified stompbox, with ethnic beads, nuts and bells strapped to his body. His performance covers a variety of genres from folk to pop, to new country, to rhythmic soul, to rock.

Over three decades of global travel and extremely colorful living and work experience, Ari has redefined himself through a sensitive eagerness to explore the world around him and turn his musings into audience participation. This imperative supersedes the stage, where there is an even deeper eagerness to explore creativity in general: Ari has worked as a line and graphic artist, painter, sculptor, plasterer, poet, writer, pyrographer, photographer and chef.

Often Ari's performances are hall-marked by an opportunity to look deep into the knot of an old tree, and discover some tranquil revelation way down in its hollow. From there, it's a laughter-filled experience of rhythm, movement, soaring melody. Not hampered by any singular emotion, his push to explore new ideas while performing ranks with the airs of Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, Martin Sexton, Bruce Cockburn.

"One of the most artistically developed artists I've ever met. I was riveted for 2.5 hours as Ari played" - Jim Cressman, President of Cressman-Sakomoto Agency

"Ballsy. And very Nick Drake" - Hugo Rampen, President, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues

"Ari Neufeld's music is a compass that I constantly check as I'm writing my own tunes" Sara Ciantar, Musician, Teacher, and damn fine accordion player