Virtuoso Pianist Tom Oren Gets Set To Release ‘Dark Lights’

Anzic Records is thrilled to unveil Dark Lights, a dazzling new album from virtuoso pianist Tom Oren and his dynamic trio—Elam Friedlander on bass and Eviatar Slivnik on drums. Bursting with imagination, technical brilliance, and genuine storytelling, Dark Lights delivers six original compositions and three inventive arrangements that capture Oren’s fearless artistry and boundless musical vision. From the very first note, listeners are swept into a whirlwind of daring improvisation, unexpected harmonies, and melodic fireworks, all unfolding in a seamless, spirited conversation between three world-class musicians.

Recorded in 2023, Dark Lights finds Oren still in his twenties yet already a force to be reckoned with in the jazz world. His meteoric rise began with first prize at the prestigious 2018 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition, launching him onto the stages of renowned venues across the globe. But Oren’s creative reach doesn’t stop at jazz—his classical and orchestral ventures are equally impressive. In 2021, he composed a vibrant, kaleidoscopic score for director Avi Nesher’s acclaimed film Image of Victory, released by Milan Records/Sony Music Masterworks, where he masterfully blended classical traditions with a modern jazz sensibility.

Now, in 2026, Oren’s creative fire burns brighter than ever. He continues to dazzle audiences with his pianistic prowess and improvisational daring, while branching out into an exciting array of projects: scoring another film with Avi Nesher, collaborating with the enchanting Serbian vocalist Tamara Jokić on a new album, working alongside Israeli pop sensation Tamir Greenberg, and even exploring new territory as a singer-songwriter and guitarist.

Dark Lights, as Oren describes in his own liner notes, is “the second chapter of my recorded musical journal”—a phrase that perfectly captures the narrative spirit guiding his artistry. The journey began with Dorly’s Song (Concord, 2020), a heartfelt tribute to his mother and first teacher, Dorly Oren-Chazon, herself a trailblazing pianist, composer, and innovator in music education. Reflecting on his artistic evolution, Oren credits his growth to lessons learned along the way, shaping the relaxed yet intensely expressive flow of Dark Lights and expanding his creative palette as he enters his thirties.

“I’ve learned to do things seriously—to treat them with respect, but still be at peace—instead of taking them so seriously that it becomes limiting,” Oren shares. That liberating outlook infuses Dark Lights, allowing him to break free of the studio’s constraints and channel the spontaneous energy he thrives on during live performances. “This album is the first time these pieces are released, and part of me wanted everything to be perfect. But the magic happens in the moment—like when Elam and I landed on a chord that felt totally ‘off-script.’ I wanted to redo it, but Eviatar insisted, ‘Are you crazy? That’s my favorite moment!’ Listening back with fresh ears, I realized that what I thought was a mistake was actually a beautiful, human spark. So I kept it in.”

Dark Lights is more than an album—it’s a celebration of risk, creativity, and the joy of discovery. Tom Oren invites listeners on an exhilarating musical adventure where every note tells a story, and every moment is alive with possibility.