Mika Hary

The Mika Hary Group embraces the genres of folk, rock and jazz with a touch of the Middle Eastern unique colors, in which Mika has been immersed growing up in Israel. Together with the acclaimed musicians in her band, she explores song-form infused with musical freedom, through improvisation alongside lyrical melodies. All of these elements create the unique and modern sound of her band. A part of the sizzling Israeli jazz scene in NY (as well as in Tel Aviv), Mika has received profound recognition among musicians, culminating in her feature on the last album of the acclaimed musician and drummer Ziv Ravitz Images from home, to be released on the international label of ENJA, alongside world renowned musicians Omer Klein and Avishai Cohen (trumpet). Ziv is also a regular member in her band, together with some of the most promising up and coming musicians of the New York scene. Mika has worked and played with diverse musicians such as Nir Felder, Marcus Gilmore, Ari Hoenig, Ferenc Nemeth, Shai Maestro, Sam Minaie, Jeff Miles, Haggai Cohen-Milo, Gilad Hekselman, Michael Valeanu, Garth Stevenson, Eden Ladin, Aviv Cohen, and more. Her group can be found regularly performing at NYC's famous music venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, Cafe Vivaldi, Rose Live Music and more.

Singer-songwriter Mika Hary has started playing the piano at age 6, and since then has always impressed her teachers with flowing musicality. During her high school years she showed excellence which led the head of the music department of the arts high school she was attending (Dr. Shai Cohen, world celebrated composer and saxophonist) to hire her for gigs with his group. That provided Mika the push that she needed and from then on she performed in jazz clubs around Israel, with her own group as well as a guest artist, including a tribute show to one of her idols, Joni Mitchell. That show was part of a festival that has been broadcasted on Israel’s main TV channel. She has also attended two of Berklee College Music summer programs. At Umbria 2003 she was chosen to represent the vocal department in a master class by the great Bobby McFerrin, as well performing with him in his Umbria Jazz Festival show as a background singer. She was also chosen as one of 10 vocalists to perform at the festival in the Berklee showcase performance. At age 18 she was drafted to the Israeli army as a lead singer of the Israeli Defense Forces Orchestra, in addition to receiving the special status “outstanding musician,” which enabled her to continue and do her own music through her army service.

As a lead singer in the orchestra, Mika has performed extensively throughout Israel, appearing in nation-wide broadcasted events as well as in front of some dignitaries from around the world. At times, she had been personally requested by the Israeli Army’s Chief of Staff to sing the national anthem in an important event. Upon release from the army Mika has participated in the Israeli version of American Idol and has received much love and respect from the audience. In fall 2007 Mika came to New York to attend the New School in Greenwich Village, after receiving a scholarship. Currently Mika is studying for a joint degree (BA/BFA) in Music and Philosophy, receiving numerous praise from her teachers and peers. Show less