Ian “Yahn” Frenkel

A former Soviet expatriate, Ian Frenkel is a pianist, composer, and arranger, presently working and performing in the New England area. His portfolio includes numerous arrangements and orchestrations for various highly acclaimed singers such as Placido Domingo, Martha Reeves, and Lorrie Morgan, with whom he also performed. Additionally he has often been commissioned by a New York-based new music group: ìThe Absolute Ensembleî. Mr. Frenkelís settings of Leonard Bernstein songs were performed by soprano Liuba Kazarnovskaja (of the Metropolitan Opera) at the 1995 Morris International Music Festival, Morristown, New Jersey. He is currently employed as both a staff arranger and pianist by the United States Coast Guard Band, and holds a title of a director of music at Bozrah Center Congregational Church, Bozrah, Connecticut. In the past he has also served as a musical director and organist at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church in Groton, Connecticut. As a jazz organ player he has performed with various renowned players including saxophonist Bobby Watson, and recently appeared on a Japanese release "TV Jazz USA," with New York guitarist Lee Metcalf. Mr. Frenkel specializes in the early jazz styles, frequently performing with nationally known Dixieland and swing ensembles and artists. One such artist, clarinetist Andy Sherwood, featured Ian Frenkel on his latest release: "While We Danced At The Mardi Gras." Mr. Frenkel holds a Bachelors Degree from Manhattan school Of Music and a Masters Degree from The City College, New York.