Picture Biography

Isaac ben Ayala with Quincy Jones, Paris 2000

Isaac ben Ayala

 Isaac ben Ayala, Pianist and Composer

Here are some of Isaac’s many performances over the years.

Isaac ben Ayala, was Pianist with Quincy Jones at Theatre de Champs Elysees (Paris, France),
Beverly Hills Hotel (Los Angeles, CA), Ennis Cosby Foundation (New York, NY) and
on The David Letterman Show (CBS-TV) all from 2000 to 2002.

PhilCollins — Isaac ben Ayala and Phil Collins performing with Quincy Jones in Paris.

Isaac ben Ayala and Film Maker Michael Kantor — Isaac ben Ayala records piano tracks for American Masters film “Broadway: The American Musical” w/ Film Maker Michael Kantor

ThreeMoTenors — Isaac ben Ayala performed Off-Broadway with The Three Mo’ Tenors.

IbA_SoloAtBirdland — Isaac performed as pianist with David Berger and The Sultans of Swing Big Band every Tuesday at Birdland Jazz Club for three years.

Jazzmobile House Band Music Director Isaac ben Ayala with Judges: Charanee Wade, Grady Tate (Left) and Dr. Billy Taylor (Right)

Isaac ben Ayala with Actor and Comedian Billy Crystal — Isaac ben Ayala pianist for The Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Ctr., Wash., D.C., honoring Billy Crystal (2007)

Picture taken in The US Supreme Court Building at the reception after the performance.

IbA w Choreographer Susan Stroman at NYC Debut (2011) — Isaac worked as pianist for The NYC Ballet world premiere as well as several performances of “For The Love of Duke” with Choreographer Susan Stroman. (2011)
NYC Ballet production of For the Love of Duke, which premiered at Lincoln Center and played The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which featured extensive piano solos throughout, was created with Isaac as rehearsal pianist. All performances included Isaac ben Ayala with a big band onstage just behind the dancers during performances.

Isaac ben Ayala with LaChanze (2008) — Isaac ben Ayala played with Tony Award winning actress and vocalist LaChanze at Joe’s Pub, NYC (2008)

IbA_and_BenJaffe_CoComposin — Isaac ben Ayala with Preservation Hall Jazz Band owner Ben Jaffe composing orchestral accompaniments for the touring band. (August 26, 2005)

Casino_benAyala-Royale_2000 — Isaac ben Ayala having fun with Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave on the road with The Donald Byrd Dance Company’s “The Harlem Nutcracker” (2000)

McBride_benAyala_MrBelgrave — Isaac ben Ayala with Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, here posing w/fellow Obie James McBride (2010)

Isaac ben Ayala with Toots Thielsmann - 2000 — Isaac ben Ayala performed with Toots Thielsmann during a Quincy Jones Big Band performance.

Boys Choir of Harlem Christmas Tour 2005 - IbA Pianist — Initially the Jazz Pianist Isaac was soon promoted to Principal Pianist with the Boys Choir of Harlem in 2004, and remained so until the passing of it’s founder Director Dr. Walter J. Turnbull in 2007.

Isaac ben Ayala with James Spaulding Quintet - Sweet Basil, NY — Isaac ben Ayala performed and recorded three years with Alto Saxophone legend James Spaulding. Albums included “Jazz Up and Over” and “Round To It”. Isaac ‘s compositions “Gentle Spirit” and “Monk You” can be heard on these albums.

DCP_2265 — Isaac ben Ayala, Pianist with Joe Piscopo under the baton of Joe Muscioli, for a handful of productions, mostly in New Jersey.

Isaac_Yasushi_Wolf_KennedyCtr — CNN Commentator Wolf Blitzer was in attendance at one of the Mark Twain Prizes in which Isaac was pianist. Also pictured is bassist Yasushi Nakamura.