Compiled in the third century C.E., The Pirkei Avot (also known as "Ethics of the Jewish Sages") is a collection of rabbinical wisdom that contains a lot of plain old common sense. After reading it, I was inspired to compose music to some of its verses. "The Pirkei Avot Project, Vol. 1" is the first of many volumes of music I intend to compose to this wonderful text. Joining me on the recording are some of my oldest and dearest friends in the world: Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, vocals; Daphna Mor, recorders and ney; Sean Conly, bass; Satoshi Takeishi, percussion. Ayelet and I met while teaching Hebrew School. Daphna and I are both resident musicians at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Sean and I went to college together. Satoshi and I were introduced many years ago by a mutual friend/musician and have been playing music together ever since. Sean and Satoshi are also in my quartet, Deathblow, which has a CD (listed under my name) on CD Baby called "I Think I'll Keep You".