Thanks saying

It’s my great honour & pleasure to thank the producers of this album: my good friends and fantastic musicians: Jens Wendelboe (trombones) & Steve Jankowski (trumpets).

Jens, thank you for the inspired arrangements.

Steve, many thanks for your musical influence, your Studio recordings and mixes.

Jens & Steve, thank you for your professional skills, thank you so much for your friendship.

I thank all the fine musicians, the best in New York, and the fine singers who played & sang with me.

Special thanks from my heart I give to two dear ladies:

1. Deb Lyons, singer and much more than that. Deb worked with me on every song and she was tough but very effective teacher.

2. Kimberly Davis, singer.

All the special black voices’ improvisations in the album are Kim’s voice. She is so good! I was sitting in the studio so excited when she was doing her thing. Jens & Steve just told her: “Kim, do what you feel and feel free” and she did. In one take!

“Who are you, Rafi Ginat from Tel Aviv, that got the privilege to work with the best musicians in New York?” I asked myself and many dear friends.

Jens & Steve gave me a nice answer: “You are kind of special, Rafi. You have a unique low voice and you are a story teller. We feel that you feel the meaning of every word while singing”.

Well, I hope that they were not just polite.

If you feel the same during listening to the album, it means that I did my job and I thank you for listening & enjoying “Rafi Salutes Leonard”.

And last thanks I owe to you, the laid Leonard Cohen. Thank you for the great poets & melodies you left us.

Rest in peace, Leonard, and may God bless you in heaven.

Thanks saying

It’s my great honour & pleasure to thank the producers of this album: my good friends and fantastic musicians: Jens Wendelboe (trombones) & Steve Jankowski (trumpets).

Jens, thank you for the inspired arrangements.

Steve, many thanks for your musical influence, your Studio recordings and mixes.

Jens & Steve, thank you for your professional skills, thank you so much for your friendship.

I thank all the fine musicians, the best in New York, and the fine singers who played & sang with me.

Special thanks from my heart I give to two dear ladies:

1. Deb Lyons, singer and much more than that. Deb worked with me on every song and she was a tough but very effective teacher.

2. Kimberly Davis, singer.

All the special black voices’ improvisations in the album are Kim’s voice. She is so good! I was sitting in the studio so excited when she was doing her thing. Jens & Steve just told her: “Kim, do what you feel and feel free” and she did. In one take!

“Who are you, Rafi Ginat from Tel Aviv, that got the privilege to work with the best musicians in New York?” I asked myself and many dear friends.

Jens & Steve gave me a nice answer: “You are kind of special, Rafi. You have a unique low voice and you are a story teller. We feel that you feel the meaning of every word while singing”.

Well, I hope that they were not just polite.

If you feel the same during listening to the album, it means that I did my job and I thank you for listening & enjoying “Rafi Salutes Leonard”.

And last thanks I owe to you, the laid Leonard Cohen. Thank you for the great poets & melodies you left us.

Rest in peace, Leonard, and may God bless you in heaven.

Deb Lyons – Vocalist

Starred on New York Bordway & Lond’s West end in the successful musical “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”. Deb replaced the legendary Mama Cass and preformed 5 years with the original “The Mama & The Papas”. She also preformed with Donna Summer, “The Chieftains”, Ben E/ King and many more.

LaJuan Carter – Vocalist

Performed & recorded with Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Jeffrey Osborne, James Taylor and many more.

Kimberly Davis – Vocalist

The lead singer of CHIC band. Performed & recorded with Alicia Keys, Deborah Cox, Mary Wilson and many more.

Layonne Holmes – Vocalist

Sang with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Ben E King and many more.

Audrey Wheeler Downing – Vocalist

Recorded with Madonna, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Cher, Mariah Carey and many more.

Lee Finkelstein – Drums

Played with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Julio Iglesias, “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and many more.

James D. Pappas – Organ B3 Piano

Musical Director, Arranger & Conductor of Smokey Robinson. Played with “The Funk Brothers”, “Billy Preston”, “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and many more.

Glenn McClelland – Keyboards

A member of “Blood, Sweat & Tears”. Played with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Copeland, Richie Cole and many more.

Jimmy Leahey – Guitar

Played in the TV shows of Jay Leno and “Good Morning America”. Performed with Dennis Deyoung, John White, Dionne Farris and many more.

Bill Heller – Piano

Played with “The Rippingtones”, “Steve Cole”, “Matt Markshak” and many more.

Dave Anderson – Bass Guitar

A member of “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and “The 5th Diemension”. Performed & recorded with Art Garfunkel, Petula Clark and many more.

Ken Gioffre – Soprano & Alto Sax

A member of “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and Smokey Robinson’s band. Played with B.B. King, Dianne Reeves, The Temptations, Donny Osmond and many more.

Denise Stillwell – Violin

Steve Jankowski – Trompets

Played with Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Shakira, Chicago (the bad), “Blood, Sweat & Tears” (Musical Director & Trompeter) and many more.

Doug DeHays – Saxophone

Played with Shakira, Aretha Franklin, John Bon Jovi, Paul Anka and many more.

Jens Wendelboe – Trombones

The musical director of Donna Summer. Played with Cliff Richard, Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdink, Connie Francis, Better Midler, Neil Sadaka, “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and many more.

Tom Tinko – Baritone Sax, Flute

Played with Elton John, Gloria Estefan, “Manhattan Transfer”, “Chicago”, “Tower of Power”, “Blood, Sweat & Tears” and many more.

Alejandra Mahave – Violin

Roxanne Bergman – Violin

Susan Domingus – Violin

Joe Deninzon – Violin

Carla Fabianni – Viola

Claudia Chopek – Violin

Garo Yellin – Cello

Eleanor Norton – Cello

Arrangements: Jens Wendleboe (“Dance me” arranged by Gil Feldman)

Recordings & Mixes: Steve Jankowski at Jankland Recording studio, New York

Producers: Steve Jankowski & Jens Wendelboe

Paintings: Joshua Griffit

Design: Rony Grifit

Webdesign: Aleksandar Dukanovic & Milan Vojnovic