Israeli-born Miri Ben-Ari is known as the “hip-hop violinist,” but her music and influence doesn’t require any labels.
VIDEO: Hip-Hop Violinist Miri Ben-Ari Pays Tribute To Whitney Houston
Over the years, Miri-Ben Ari has been honored for her social activism work with young people and her humanitarian efforts.
Miri Ben-Ari is being honored by the Big Vision Awards for her great work in music and amazing life achievements.
GlobalGrind caught up with Miri to discuss being honored at this year’s Big Vision Awards and being presented by legendary R&B singer Roberta Flack.
Check out our exclusive interview below!
GlobalGrind: You’re being honored for a Big Vision award. Where were you when you first learned that you were going to be honored?
I don’t quite remember. I just remember being very, very excited. It’s a great honor. It really represents who I am as a person and as an artist. So I thought it was a perfect match!
How exciting is it that Roberta Flack is going to be presenting you with the award?
She’s one of my idols. She’s such a legend, a queen of soul. I started off with classical and then jazz music and Ms. Roberta Flack—she’s known for performing real music, real songs, like they used to do back in the day. I’m just so excited and so humbled that she’s coming, especially to present me with this award.
Who are you listening to on your iPod?
You know, it’s funny, because we just spoke of Roberta and right before I got on the phone with you I actually listened to her. Do you remember her duet with Donny Hathaway? It’s one of my favorite songs, “The Closer I Get to You.”
So, as the sprit of the award tomorrow, I just randomly was like ‘you know what, let me listen to this song because it puts me in such a great mood, this music.’
It’s a great honor to be in a great company of very successful people from different areas, different fields. I think that the Big Vision award chose their honorees carefully based on what they represent.
The award is an award, but what’s important is what it represents. These days you can be an independent artist, filmmaker, producer and follow your vision…and follow it independently, and reach the same results — or even better results because you’re doing what you want to do; you’re following your vision. It’s basically a network of people, what I call independent thinkers. I just love it as an individual and as an artist.
When everything is said and done, what do you want people to know about Miri Ben Ari?
I was born and raised in Israel, and it absolutely affected who I am as a person, as an artist. Because we are our experiences. This is why I am the way I am. This is why I know how to play the violin the way that I play the violin. This is why I know what I know — experience and upbringing. I was exposed to a different culture, a different language. It just gives you another ground of language, of style, knowledge. There are a lot of talented people in Israel.
I would say in the sprit of the Big Vision award, I would like people to remember me for my original music and artistry and style. And, also, for my message and my ability to give back.
Is there anything else you want to share with us?
Just how excited I am for the event. How excited I am to perform, to be in great company, to represent the Big Vision Awards as someone original that followed my own path in creativity. And, of course, to be honored by my dear friend Roberta Flack who is coming especially to the awards show to present me with this award. It’s a really great honor.
