Who's Cali?
Cali Rivlin is a singer and piano composer working in the music industry for over 20 years. She describes her own music as: "If Alanis, Tori Amos, Kate Bush & Florence+Machine had a baby that made a soundtrack". Those artists inspired a unique combination, culminating in her debut album Flying Through Water. It's out now and can be streamed/purchased on Bandcamp/SoundCloud.
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Classically trained opera singer and self taught pianist, Cali's been making music her whole life, recording and touring in her home country Israel, the U.K. ,Europe and the U.S.
Cali also specializes vocally in Jazz, Soul & Motown music and has collaborated with some Jazz & Swing greats such as Robin Banerjee (Amy Winehouse), Hossam Ramzy (Chick Corea, Led Zeppelin) & The Jive Aces.
In 2019 Cali combined forces with co producer Stuart Cooney to launch Axiomatic: Music for film & TV with a unique contemporary dramatic tone. Recently they’ve signed a publishing deal with the Northstar Music Company.
Want to get to know Cali better?
Have a listen to this video podcast with James O'Connor's Dharmic Evolution:
The Full Story
Cali always knew she wanted to make music. She began her classical training at 8 years old practicing Opera at the Tel Aviv Music Conservatory. It was an excellent way to get started and tho she never planned a career singing Opera, it prepared her well vocally. As for the piano.. it was an extreme act of highly serendipitous nature. Her high school friend who previously owned it, moved to the next door building and the piano simply wouldn't fit through their doorway. So Cali begged her mom and bought this antique 100 year old Steinberg piano. This huge wooden instrument took over Cali's room & heart forever more (even her album cover is shot with her sitting on it).
She grew to love Jazz, Soul, Swing, Rock, Grunge, alternative and classical music, performing wherever she could to gain experience, jam nights, open mics, guest appearances, you name it. All the while taking part in musical workshops and networking events.
In 2008 she was privately tutored by the New York Upper West Side by opera & Voice instructor to the stars Jim Carson, (Across The Universe cast).
In 2011 Cali moved to London to attend the Institute for Contemporary Music Performance, Vocal department. That music scene blew her mind and she knew this is where it would all happen - within the span of one year she got to collaborate with Hossam Ramzy (Chick Corea, Sting), Woody Woodmensey (David Bowie), perform her original compositions with a band she formed at the legendary London Troubadour three times (previous home to artists such as Bob Dylan, Adele, etc) and other venues in colourful Camden such as Proud Galleries, wholesome Sussex, several churches across London, perform on a moving double decker buss with the Jive Aces during the 2012 Olympics, record original music in Scotland, form her own Motown group, and so many more successful experiences.
America
Cali's career has taken her to America; In 2013 she performed solo piano shows of her original music in LA, including a featured spot at the ASI Golden Age Theatre in Hollywood, Room 5, Celebrity Centre Pavilion and at the Republic of Pie. In Florida she had a full month's residency at the Hibiscus high class restaurant and music venue. That same year she travelled with her music to the exotic Caribbean Islands to be the guest performer aboard an exclusive cruise ship performing nightly concerts to audiences from all over the world as well as the local Islands.
Flying Through Water
When came the time to record Cali's debut album she chose musician extraordinaire Barak Olier - son and producer of International Flamenco sensation Baldi Olier. This collaboration proved itself in every sentiment as both Cali and Barak gave it their all. Focussing in on the meticulous process required to achieve the piano work, recording methods and unique analog sound design, really "bonded them into a family" during the making of Flying Through Water.
Cali always saw herself in film composition creating music that's extremely visually inspiring, and the album certainly represents that aspect of story telling. Amir Asher (veteran music blogger for major publication “Haaretz”) reviewed her album saying:
"Cali released a beautiful album that took over my living room for many long hours.
The genre at large – a woman and a piano. You know; Kate Bush, Tori Amos.
Only this woman's round at the edges. Beautiful and calming".
In 2014 Cali toured with Amy Winehouse's guitarist, Robin Banerjee as part of Amy's official exhibition in Israel. The tour had extensive coverage and included a highly anticipated performance at the Gala in the Jewish National Museum and played at the prominent music venues Zappa Tel Aviv, Berale, Bar Giora and Cafe Yaffo. It also featured Israeli celebrities Gal Toren, Naama Cohen, Sivan Talmor and the Gaber Band. Interviews and promo of Robin and Cali were prominently featured on primetime news, including a televised studio performance at the international news channel, i24 News.
In 2015 Cali partnered with French guitar maestro Gregory Soussan (Julio Iglesias, Nicole Scherzinger, Il Divo) to form a musical acoustic duo. During their 3 year run they performed around Israel, specializing in live Jazz & Soul music, selling out many shows especially in the picturesque Jaffa Flea Market area.
Cali also served as guest vocalist for many high class business conventions in Copenhagen Denmark. For a special New Year's Eve performance she starred in a massive blowout at the town central Axelborg building.
In 2018/19 Cali spent a lot of time in the UK and really immersed herself in the local scene.
She performed at the London Ealing Jazz Festival with the 1930’s Jazz specialist guitar duo - Danzon.
For the next couple of years she formed an acoustic duo with Danzon English guitarist and Guildhall educator, Jonny Mccourt.
She performed along with the Jive Aces as headliners for a special festival at historic Bletchley Park: Guinness World Records breaking event for World's largest ever Swing Dance lesson.
Another memorable and fantastic show-stoping number was captured at the Letchworth Vintage festival with the Jives.
Cali meshed well with the London local music scene and would frequently sing at the Blues Kitchen , Ronnie's upstairs, Sessions 58 (including being Session's Featured Artist, twice!), the Big Red, the Roadhouse, Nambucca, and many more fine musical establishments.
Cali participated in the heart felt charity show for one of her favourite artists, Chris Cornell. The event took place at the Nambucca and held 8 musical acts both performing original material inspired by Chris, as well as tribute to his musical legacy.
She also performed in Scotland for a special humanitarian charity cause in Edinburgh Castle and at the Royal Scots Club.
Occasionally people would come up to Cali after a show and ask "can you teach me how to sing like you?"
That's when it occurred to her she actually would love to! So, over the past 5 years Cali has vocally trained singer-songwriters privately around the world, including West End auditions prep and vocal & stage coaching to Hossam Ramzy's ingenue artists projects. Also in Israel at the actor Hili Yallon's Studio and for England's Saint Hill Arts Festival.
Axiomatic
Axiomatic are the combined forces of composers Cali Rivlin and Stuart Cooney.
They first met whilst working in the London music scene and realised they had a strong musical connection.
Bonding over their shared love of soundtracks, in particular the dramatic and uniquely toned music of contemporary composers such as Trent Reznor and Hans Zimmer, they started writing and recording together in 2018.
This collaboration became Axiomatic.
