Abe Ovadia

Since 2014, jazz guitarist Abe Ovadia has brought engaging, educational live music to patrons across more than 100 public libraries nationwide. Holding music degrees from Berklee College of Music and New York University, he dedicates his work to public libraries because he believes great music should be an accessible, community centered experience where people of every generation can discover the rich history, warmth, and spontaneity of jazz without barrier or pretension. By blending timeless standards with modern favorites and sharing the stories behind the songs, Abe transforms everyday community rooms into welcoming cultural hubs that spark genuine curiosity and bring neighborhoods together. His library concerts have earned an outstanding reputation among event coordinators for strong patron attendance, effortless logistics, and enthusiastic community feedback.

Reimagining the American Songbook

Join acclaimed jazz guitarist Abe Ovadia for "Reimagining the American Songbook," a program that explores some of the most recognizable compositions in jazz through live performance and discussion. Abe offers his own interpretations of classic standards while sharing the stories behind the music, the composers who wrote it, and the role improvisation plays in making each performance unique.

Throughout the program, Abe draws on his experience as a professional jazz musician to explain how jazz has evolved and how musicians approach familiar songs in new ways. With opportunities for audience interaction and questions, the program offers an accessible look at the music, its history, and the creative process behind jazz improvisation.

In addition to the "Reimagining American Songbook" initiative, Abe Ovadia presents the subsequent programs:

PAST LIBRARIES INCLUDE:

Abbott Library, Sunapee NH; Abington Public Library, Abington PA; Albert Wisner Public Library, Warwick NY; Bayport-Blue Point Public Library, Blue Point NY; Belchertown Public Library, Belchertown MA; Bethlehem Area Public Library, Bethlehem PA; Bethlehem Public Library, Delmar NY; Brambleton Library, Brambleton VA; Bridgeton Free Public Library, Bridgeton NJ; Brockton Public Library, Brockton MA; Burnham Library, Colchester VT; Cairo Public Library, Cairo NY; Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge MA; Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring KY; Cape May County Library, Cape May NJ; Cascades Library, Potomac Falls VA; Charles County Public Library, La Plata MD; Charles County Public Library – Potomac Branch, Indian Head MD; Charlton Library, Charlton MA; Chatham Public Library, Chatham NJ; Chelmsford Public Library, Chelmsford MA; Chester County Public Library, Exton PA; Clara Barton Library, Edison NJ; Cliffside Park Public Library, Cliffside Park NJ; Eastern Monroe Public Library, Stroudsburg PA; Edgewater Public Library, Edgewater NJ; Edgartown Public Library, Edgartown MA; Edison Public Library, Edison NJ; Elkridge Public Library, Elkridge MD; Englewood Public Library, Englewood NJ; Falmouth Public Library, Falmouth MA; Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley NY; George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library, Francestown NH; Glen Cove Public Library, Glen Cove NY; Harrison Public Library, Harrison NY; Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose NY; Hershey Public Library, Hershey PA; Holyoke Public Library, Holyoke MA; Irvington Public Library, Irvington NY; Larchmont Public Library, Larchmont NY; Lincoln Public Library, Lincoln MA; Little Falls Public Library, Little Falls NJ; Ludington Library, Bryn Mawr PA; Lunenburg Public Library, Lunenburg MA; Mamaroneck Public Library, Mamaroneck NY; Montvale Public Library, Montvale NJ; Moorestown Public Library, Moorestown NJ; Mount Pleasant Public Library, Mount Pleasant NY; Mount Vernon Public Library, Mount Vernon NY; New Providence Memorial Library, New Providence NJ; Newark Free Library, Newark DE; North Edison Library, Edison NJ; Northvale Public Library, Northvale NJ; Ocean City Library, Ocean City MD; Old Bridge Public Library, Old Bridge NJ; P.D. Brown Memorial Library, Waldorf MD; Phoenixville Public Library, Phoenixville PA; Piscataway Public Library, Piscataway NJ; Plymouth Public Library, Plymouth MA; Pohick Regional Library, Burke VA; Pratt Library, Baltimore MD; Queens Central Library, Jamaica NY; Quogue Public Library, Quogue NY; Randolph Public Library, Randolph NJ; Reed Memorial Library, Carmel NY; Russell Library, Middletown CT; South Brunswick Public Library, South Brunswick NJ; South Coastal Public Library, Bethany Beach DE; Springfield Public Library, Springfield NJ; Springfield Town Library, Springfield VT; Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth ME; Tivoli Public Library, Tivoli NY; Trumbull Public Library, Trumbull CT; Waterford Public Library, Waterford NY; West Milford Township Library, West Milford NJ; Weston Public Library, Weston MA; Westwood Public Library, Westwood NJ; Whippanong Library, Whippany NJ; Wissahickon Valley Public Library, Blue Bell PA; Woodlawn Branch Library, Wilmington DE; Worcester County Library, Berlin MD; Worcester County Library, Pocomoke City MD.