Bio
"Rachel Handman and Keve Wilson got a very well-deserved standing ovation. The next time I'm at a Broadway show, I will not take the orchestra for granted."
-Ricky Pope, Broadway World Critic
"Seeing them perform is a total battery recharge. The joy they find in playing with each other and re-inventing/re-creating music that most of us have long taken for granted is so inspiring."
-Shelagh Abate
Friends since the age of 10, Rachel Handman (violin) and Keve Wilson (oboe) met at The Rink in Hyde Park, NY, and grew up dreaming of performing on Broadway someday. Spending every Saturday studying at Manhattan School of Music as teenagers, they would skip music theory to practice showtunes, dance in the park, and play Irish jigs and reels instead. Having realized that Broadway dream, the orchestra pits they have played in include Carousel, Something Rotten!, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Miss Saigon, Dr. Zhivago, West Side Story and Company.
When not freelancing or playing on Broadway, Rachel and Keve have developed a concert showcasing their interest in music from around the world. Having played music everywhere from Bolivia to Germany to South Korea, they continue to transcend genres with unique and creative repertoire, weaving personal tales from their life-long friendship throughout their concerts. In 2020, Keve and Rachel, along with their band, played weekly at The Javits Center during the height of the pandemic for workers on the front-line and New Yorkers receiving their vaccines. In 2021, they were invited to be the sole performers for the Culinary Institute of America's 75th Anniversary, and they recently performed at ArtsFest New Rochelle and the Margate Music Series in Atlantic City. They play to packed houses at venues such as Feinstein’s/54 Below and continue outreach service with weekly music making at Mt. Sinai hospital. Their band includes Hidayat Honari-guitar, Marc Schmied- bass, and Mike Ramsey-percussion.
Sample Program
Irish jig by Johnny Harling, followed by 2 traditional reels
Combining 2 amazing tunes from films, Keve and Rachel perform their arrangement of these beautiful pieces by Luis Bonfa and Rachel Portman
Venezuelan Joropos certain to bring the house down. By Carlos Bonet and Antonio Carrillo, arranged by Rachel and Keve
Rachel and Keve play J.S. Bach's Concerto for oboe and violin and spice it up with Beatboxer and singer Stephen Minor
Call to the Dance
Keve and Rachel's arrangement of Donnelly Leahey's virtuosic fiddle tune.
Deep Peace/Dance with Me
Bernard Sexton's gorgeous Deep Peace combined with 70's tune by Orleans, Dance with Me.
Brasilherino
Traditional Brazilian Samba
The Parting Glass
A Gaelic Farewell, this haunting tune is by Cara Dillon