Home » Jazz Musicians » Judith Insell

Judith Insell

Judith Insell, a New York native, has been an active member of the New York jazz scene since the mid nineties. Ms. Insell is on a personal mission: spreading the word that "the Viola can play any style of music!" Lee Konitz, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Antonio Hart, and Miguel Zenon are just a few of the many jazz greats with whom Ms. Insell has had the pleasure of performing and recording. She has recently been performing throughout the eastern United States with the chamber jazz string group "Sojourner." As a founding member of "Sojourner," Ms. Insell has not only explored self expression through improvisation, she has also ventured into the realm of composition with the title track of the group's new CD Journey and arranging such standards as Thelonious Monk's "I Mean You."

Her debut CD, Dark Wood Explorations, a duo project with acclaimed jazz bassist Joe Fonda, was released in September 2008.

Ms. Insell has also had an active career on the "pop" music scene performing and recording with artists Beyonce Knowles, India.Arie, Jessica Simpson, and "Joe." As a member of the "Soldier String Quartet," she was on an extensive world tour with rock legend John Cale throughout the nineties.

Judith attended the Manhattan School of Music where she was classically trained: receiving both her Undergraduate and Masters degrees. She has performed with the New Jersey Symphony, the National Chorale Orchestra and is currently a member of the Greenwich Symphony. She has also performed on Broadway in the orchestras for Gypsy, Ms. Saigon, Tommy, Carousel, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

She is the former Director of the String Program at The Collegiate School, The Juilliard School-MAP Program and The Bloomingdale School of Music and has just completed a 1-year association with "Education Through Music," as a Teaching Artist.

Ms. Insell has also been a contributing writer for All About Jazz since January 2006. She is currently working on a series of interviews focused on the improvising string community of the NYC area, to be published at All About Jazz.

Ada Rovatti: The Hidden World Of Piloo

Read "The Hidden World Of Piloo" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
September 14, 2024

Ada Rovatti's curiously titled album, The Hidden World of Piloo, has a tale attached (and a tail). Piloo is an affectionate name Rovatti's father has called her since childhood, after a “naughty" cat in a favorite children's book. She adopted it for her label as well (Piloo Records). Rovatti grew up in Mortara, Italy, outside of Milan, in an unusual household. Her mother was a semi-pro softball player and her dad a geologist, professional hunter and purveyor of cars. The ...

331

Multiple Reviews

Bass String Duos: Dark Wood Explorations and Jonathan Chen Orchestra

by Elliott Simon
September 7, 2008

Judith Insell Joe Fonda Duo Dark Wood Explorations Self Produced 2008 Jonathan Chen and Tatsu Aoki Jonathan Chen Orchestra Asian Improv aRts 2007 Two very different bassists, Joe Fonda and Tatsu Aoki, each pairs with a different member of the string family to create sonic experiences that stress sonority and explore harmonics. Fonda meets violist Judith Insell on equal ...

Performance / Tour

Judith Insell-Joe Fonda Duo the Player's Theater 1st Annual Arts Festival Sunday, December 16th 1 Set: 4PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
December 10, 2007

Judith Insell - Joe Fonda Duo Viola - Bass A unique jazz duo that explores the rich timbres and harmonic possibilities of two string instruments, through original compositions and lesser-known jazz standards. Performing Selections from the upcoming debut CD: Dark wood Explorations Sunday, December 16, 2007 1 Set: 4pm The Player's Theater 1st Annual Arts Festival ...
read more

108

Performance / Tour

Judith Insell-Joe Fonda Duo the Player's Theater 1st Annual Arts Festival Sunday, December 16th 1 Set: 4PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
November 20, 2007

Judith Insell - Joe Fonda Duo Viola - Bass

A Unique jazz duo that explores the Rich Timbres and Harmonic possibilities of two String instruments, Through Original Compositions and Lesser-Known Jazz Standards.

Performing Selections from The Upcoming Debut CD: Dark wood Explorations

Sunday, December 16, 2007 1 Set: 4pm

The Player's Theater 1st Annual Arts Festival The Player's Theater 115 MacDougal St, NYC
read more