Grammy Award-Winning Violinist Miri Ben-Ari Recruits Hip Hop Mogul
Russell Simmons to Release A Video in Support of the Democratic
Campaign and the Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqDNl_9-SEo

New York, NY, 10/15/08 - Miri Ben-Ari, a Grammy Award-Winning violinist, originally from Israel, dedicates her rendition of the National Anthem titled “Stand With Me”, a music video in support of the Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

Supported by Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons and fashion designer Marc Eckó, Ben-Ari introduces a new musical approach to capture the spirit of the American people before the 2008 Election Day while hoping to influence fans among the Jewish community.

Ben-Ari states “At this time of economic crisis, we need leadership that can bring change to our country while capturing the essence of the American Dream. Coming to America as a new immigrant, poor and without my family helped me to better understand and appreciate the American dream”.

Kenzo Hakuta has collaborated with Miri Ben-Ari to direct this video. Hakuta, apprenticed under internationally recognized video artist Nam June Paik, is a video artist and filmmaker from NY whose films have played in the Tribeca Film Festival and Mill Valley Film Festival, in addition to being a prestigious Rockefeller Film Fellowship nominee. 

Miri Ben-Ari, also known as “The Hip Hop Violinist”, has created her own unique sound by fusing a classical style with Hip Hop and R&B. She has helped sell millions of records by collaborating with other Grammy award-winning artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Brandy, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson and John Legend, being recognized as a musical pioneer.

Ben-Ari, who once studied under the late classical master Isaac Stern, was honored as an “Apollo Legend”, "International Jewish Women To Watch of 2007” and received the first Israeli Martin Luther King Award from Israel President, Shimon Peres. Ben-Ari is the CEO and co-founder of “Gedenk” (To Remember), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness among young people about the Jewish Holocaust.

“Stand With Me” would like to thank: Howard Mark Offenhutter (Executive Producer), Kevin Walter (DP), Josue Sejour (Agency Producer), Aaron Cohen (Producer), Rob Kolson, Pascale Grisé (Stylist), Tiffany Sizse (Make Up Artist), Derrick Kollock (Hair Stylist), Itamar Ben-Zakay, Poolsidesign, and the entire crew for their support.

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