Meet Ansonica Records artists Alan Lewine and Ana María Ruimonte. Alan, an American jazz bassist and founder of Owlsong Productions, has performed and recorded all over the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Latin America. Ana María Ruimonte, a Spanish classical Soprano, obtained her degree at Spain’s leading vocal conservatory, the Escuela Superior de Canto of Madrid, and was a resident singer with Madrid’s Teatro Real (Royal Theater) for seven years, where she shared the stage with most of the biggest stars of the opera world. Together, Alan and Ana Maria created SEPHARDIC TREASURES, released through Ansonica Records. In this interview we discussed how the two met and became musical and life partners, the inspiration behind Sephardic Treasures, their hopes for this album, and more.
Alan Lewine, leader, bassist, and composer of the Alan Lewine Xtet, currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona from Philadelphia. Also the founder of Owlsong Productions (in 1982 while preparing a Thelonious Monk memorial concert in Taos NM), Lewine has performed and recorded all over the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Latin America. His influences include not just jazz, but all forms of music from Gamelan to flamenco, Zappa to Xenakis. Eclectic? Yes, and reviews have yielded high praise of the impact of these varied influences on Sephardic Treasures.
Ana Mariá Ruimonte was born and raised in Madrid, Spain, is a classical singer experienced in roles as both soprano and mezzo-soprano. She obtained her degree at Spain’s leading vocal conservatory, the Escuela Superior de Canto of Madrid in 2006, and studied further in Nuremberg, Philadelphia, and New York. She was a finalist at the International Opera Umberto Giordano competition in 2013 in Italy. Ana María appeared numerous times on Spanish National Radio and Television (RTVE) before and since moving to the United States.
