Arthur Lipner is one of the leading vibes and marimba voices of today. He believes in the power of music for positive change, and has humbly devoted his life’s work to be a part of it. His music conveys an exuberant drive of creativity and depth. Venues at which Arthur has appeared is perhaps unrivaled. In addition to concert halls, jazz clubs and recording studios around the world, he has performed with Tuvan Throat Singers from Russia, The Saakumu Dance Company of Ghana in a small rural village, on the streets of Rio for Carnival, in Chiapas Mexico’s “Marimba Park”, at the Royal Palace in Marrakesh, in the mountains of Norway on an ice xylophone, on Martin Luther King Blvd (NYC), and more. The story of his inner and outer journeys in percussion are featured in the documentary TALKING STICKS (2014). As a soloist and bandleader Lipner has been to most of the United States and 25 foreign countries including Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Morocco, Malaysia and the Caribbean. He has toured in Europe 40 times. The many trips to Brazil, his home away from home, included premiering his concerto MALLET FANTASIA with the Nat’l Symphony of Brazil. As an educator, Arthur has presented over 300 workshops on six continents, including The Juilliard School (NYC), Yale University, Sweelink Conservatory (Amsterdam) and Sydney Conservatorium. He has been on the Faculty of The Brabants Conservatory in Tilburg, Holland, Drummers Collective (NYC) and SUNY Purchase. Lipner has authored two widely-adopted method books for percussion and improvisation. Almost 100 of Arthur’s compositions have been released on recordings. He’s produced seven solo albums, and appeared on many other projects and recording sessions. His music has been used on radio, film and tv soundtracks many places including Finland, Japan, Belgium, The Netherlands, and England. Arthur also plays steel drums. In the past year he has done recording sessions for the United Airlines in-flight safety video, and recently appeared with his steel band on ABC's The View. The Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia) wrote, “Lipner belongs to that rare category of master player that includes Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson...” Arthur released his first solo project, "in Any Language", in 1990. Two Hands, One Heart contains tracks from this album along with 9 others. Arthur wrote most of the music on this best of collection. Below are reviews of his solo albums. Tracks from all of these are included on Two Hands, One Heart. ARTHUR LIPNER - ALBUM REVIEWS "THE CROSSING" (2015, artist the group "The Crossing") No reviews yet. “BRASILIAN VIBES” (2011, artist Arthur Lipner & Nanny Assis) “Arthur Lipner plays the instrument as no one else. He's among the best vibraphone players, and has a special heart for Brazilian music. The music is great, well performed and the bonus is a rare and surprising view of the vibraphone and marimba in Brazilian Music!” [musicabrasileira.org] “..beautiful instrumental and vocal arrangements based on a landscape of rock-solid percussion grooves. Recognized as one of the world’s top mallet players, Lipner delivers virtuosic craftsmanship on both vibes and marimbas.” [latinbeatmagazine.com] “Vibes and Marimba share common African roots with Brazilian percussion. Yet, there is very little co-mingling of these instruments in Brazilian jazz or MPB (Brasilian Popular Music). Until now! Lipner’s vibes and marimba are the threads connecting these varied tracks in a beautifully produced recording which makes a huge step in moving his instruments forward in the international music scene.” [Jazzusa.com] “Fans of Brazilian music are sure to get a kick out of the varied offerings..., there's a freshness and vivacity to all the music here. One can easily hear the dedication and the light-hearted fun they're having in communicating the joy of Brazilian music.” [Jazz Society of Oregon] "..great soloing and lotsa groove. Lipner sounds right at home on Brazilian turf, giving an improvisation lesson on every solo. Check out Brasilian Vibes to see how well vibraphone and Brazilian music fit together." [Percussive Notes] NELSON FARIA “Rio” (2006) “Arthur Lipner is the first guest, playing the vibraphone. While on tour, teaching and performing in Peru and Brazil, the New York based musician was happy to be guest on Nelson's album. "Rio" is a true jazz performance, showing why Arthur Lipner has emerged as one of the leading vibes voices in jazz, perfectly matching the acoustic guitar skills from Faria.” [musicabrasileira.org] MODERN VIBE (2004, artist Arthur Lipner) “Arthur Lipner wields his mallets as if they were extra limbs on "Modern Vibe," the jazz vibist and marimba man's fifth CD as a bandleader. It's polished, but it's got edge. Radio should dig what Lipner does with Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine"; it's the paradigm of what a modern vibe should sound like.” [Billboard] "I would like to think that the vibraphone and marimba are entering into a much belated renaissance and that Arthur Lipner occupies a prominent role in the foregrounding of those instruments in jazz and popular music...This is jazz vibes at its smoothest and most subtle... [jazzenews.com (London)] “Delightful is perhaps the best term to describe Arthur Lipner's cover of the pop classic “Love the One You're With.” That's the worst I can say about his new CD, Modern Vibe. On an album that's chock full of excellent tunes, it's difficult to say which is the best. The album's closer, the high-energy “Blue Tango,” is the perfect finishing touch—satisfying, yet making you want more.” [alljazz.com] “You've got to admire...this extremely melodic and jazz/worldbeat - conscious vibes artist. Hopefully Lipner's very melodic writing and creative performing style will find an outlet among fans...Another unique element here is Lipner's affinity for Brazilian music, on the rolling samba grooves of Djavan's "Flor de Lis" and, more unexpectedly, the oft-covered (but never like this) "Let's Stay Together." [All Music Guide] “Lipner’s virtuosity and “monster chops” are evident on each track of this cd.” [Percussive Notes] PORTRAITS IN WORLD JAZZ (1998, artist Arthur Lipner) “Lipner is fully in command of his instruments, with improvisations that swing perfectly. His note placement on vibes and marimba is ideal...a tight, cohesive group that performs flawlessly... [Cadence Magazine] “Lipner tempers his harmonic adventurousness and rhythmic drive with just the right balance to serve the music...Exemplifies how well mallet percussion works in a variety of contemporary settings.” [Percussive Notes] "With originals and surprising covers, Lipner floats, rings, and slams as he makes his travels. It’s a “gentle force” which describes a lot of the best Brazilian music...While this cd stands on the “contemporary” side of the jazz fence, it does not have the “sterile” sound the style is often accused of.” [Jazz Improv magazine] “Portraits blends World Music and Jazz in unique, ear-pleasing ways...” [Cdnow.com] THE MAGIC CONTINUES (1994, artist Arthur Lipner) “One of the most successful performers in the adult contemporary field is monumental vibraphonist Arthur Lipner. After a notable career and significant recording achievements, Lipner has put together a cd with some of the most important musicians in adult contemporary music...A really must-buy...” [Chelsea News (NYC)] “A pleasing, meticulously-produced fusion of bop and calypso. The music’s the story...” [San Francisco Guardian] “One of the most intriguing and accessible sounds to come along in a long time, an exciting combination of calypso and jazz. I love this music, and could listen to it all day...You can tell these guys are having fun...” [Decatur Daily (GA)] “A glowing collection of Lipner originals that connects directly with listeners’ bodies, souls and brains...Lipner has gone a great distance in solving the eternal problem of balancing musical sophistication with an approach also accessible to the general public.” [Jazztimes] LIQUIDE STONES (1992, artist Arthur Lipner & Jack DeSalvo) "Guitar and vibraphone in a thrilling duo recital with timeless, inflammable ideas... Warm ballads burgeon beside provoking, avant-garde sound plasma, forming their own integrated musical system of co-ordination.." [CD Tips, Germany] “What better way to let tones glow and flow than to hang them between Lipner and DeSalvo on vibes/marimba and guitar...Even when the melody is abstract, the sound is great!.” [Jazztimes] “Thoughtful and astute duets. Tightly focused but always in the service of their genuinely original compositions. A fine digital document by two impressively versatile and creative talents.” [Cadence] IN ANY LANGUAGE (1990, artist Arthur Lipner) “A classy sound...some settings are raw, some restrained and lush. Yet everything is, above all, musical...It is certainly world beat - universal perhaps.” [Modern Drummer] “Indeed, there’s a refreshing sound that lifts everything and everyone...Terrific...Arresting, whether coaxing rich rain-forest sounds from his marimba, or letting loose free-flowing arcs...” [Jazztimes] “In Any Language could fit in anybody’s cd collection anytime. Any questions???” [Percussive Notes]