Christian Hebel
{{Notability|Biographies|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Christian Hebel
| image = Christian Hebel performing live November 2013.jpg
| caption = Christian Hebel performing live with Josh Groban, November 2013
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|12|29}}
| birth_place = Plymouth, Michigan, U.S.
| origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
New York City, New York, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|rock|jazz|classical|hip hop|bluegrass|film score|Broadway theatre|indie rock|indie pop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Violinist|songwriter|arranger|concertmaster}}
| instrument = Violin
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Kelly Clarkson|Jay-Z|Josh Groban|Barbra Streisand|George Benson|Rufus Wainwright}}
| website = {{URL|www.christianhebel.com}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Rachael Harris|2015|2019|end=divorce}}
}}
Christian Hebel (born December 29, 1975) is an American violinist, songwriter, arranger and concertmaster. He has appeared on multi-Platinum, Gold, Emmy Award, Academy Awards, Tony Award, and Grammy Award winning recordings as well as film scores and Broadway theatre.
An accomplished live and recorded musician, Christian is also Artistic Director for the National YoungArts Foundation.
Career
{{BLP sources section|date=June 2023}}
=The Last Play at Shea with Billy Joel=
In 2008, Hebel joined Billy Joel on his summer tour, culminating with two shows that were the final concerts at Shea Stadium before its demolition. The concerts were on July 16, 2008, and July 18, 2008 with guest performers including Tony Bennett, Don Henley, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Steven Tyler, Roger Daltrey, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney. The concerts were featured in the 2010 documentary film The Last Play at Shea. The film was released on DVD on February 8, 2011. The CD and DVD of the show, Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert were released on March 8, 2011.{{cite news|last1=HOLDEN|first1=STEPHEN|title=Brenda, Eddie, Billy and Friends Bury a Ballpark|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/movies/29last.html|work=The New York Times|date=October 29, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
=Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall with Rufus Wainwright=
Hebel worked with Rufus Wainwright in 2006 serving as Concertmaster for his sold-out tribute concerts at Carnegie Hall to American actress and singer Judy Garland, titled Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. The live concert recording was released as a two disc set through Geffen Records in December 2007 and earned a 2009 Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.{{cite web|title=Nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2008-12-03-grammy-nominations_N.htm|website=USA Today|accessdate=3 August 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Holden|first1=Stephen|title=Rufus Wainwright Pays Tribute to Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/16/arts/music/16rufu.html|work=The New York Times|date=June 16, 2006 |accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
=With Barbra Streisand=
In 2006, Hebel joined Barbra Streisand for her concert tour, Streisand: The Tour, which began on October 4, 2006 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and concluded at Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 20, 2006. On April 25, 2009, CBS aired Streisand's latest television special, Streisand: Live in Concert, highlighting the featured stop from the 2006 North American tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A selection of concerts was then released commercially.{{cite magazine|last1=Bronson|first1=Fred|title=Chart Beat Chat|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052029/chart-beat-chat|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Billboard|accessdate= August 3, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Barbra Streisand Live in Concert 2006|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-concert-2006-mw0000444692/credits|website=All Music|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
In the summer of 2007, Hebel joined Streisand on her Barbra Live tour where she gave concerts for the first time in continental Europe. On October 11, 2012, he participated in Streisand's concert tour in front of 18,000 fans as part of the Hebel joined Streisand for a three-hour concert performance before a crowd of 18,000 in Barclays Center in Brooklyn (Streisand's first concert in her home borough). This included tributes to Donna Summer and Marvin Hamlisch.
Hebel performed on Streisand's September 2014 release of Partners, an album of duets that features collaborations with Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Babyface, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, John Mayer, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Jason Gould.
Hebel was also in the studio recording with Streisand in May 2016 on her album Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway, released in August of that year.
Hebel became Streisand's solo violinist in 2016 and joined her on her North American tour Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic. The tour initially visited nine locations in North America, then was extended to include four additional stops, for a total of 14 shows in 13 cities. Hebel is featured in a Netflix special that was filmed on tour.{{cite web|title=BARBRA STREISAND – THE MUSIC... THE MEM'RIES... THE MAGIC... TOUR|url=http://www.thecanadianmusicscene.com/barbrastreisand/barbra-toronto-review.html|website=THE CANADIAN MUSIC SCENE|accessdate=August 9, 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Aparicio|first1=Iride|title=BARBRA STREISAND'S MEMORIES Cast a spell in San Jose|url=http://culturalworldbilingual.com/Reviews_Interviews/Concerts_Classical-4.php|website=Culteral World|accessdate=August 9, 2017}}
=American Music Awards- Rihanna & Ne-Yo=
Hebel performed with Rihanna and Ne-Yo on the 2007 American Music Awards on November 18, 2007. They performed Rihanna's hit songs "Umbrella" and "Hate That I Love You" which were each nominated that night.{{cite web|title=American Music Awards – Winners List|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-music-awards-winners-list/|website=CBS News|date=19 November 2007 |accessdate=3 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=2007 American Music Awards|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156435/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast|website=IMDB|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
=With Josh Groban=
Josh Groban chose Hebel as his solo violinist in 2011 for the Straight to You Tour to promote his recent album Illuminations. Beginning May 12, 2011 and continuing through December of that year, they undertook an 81-city tour encompassing appearances in North America, Europe and South Africa.
Hebel appeared on Groban's next studio album, All That Echoes, released on February 5, 2013. Hebel joined Groban to promote the album with the All That Echoes World Tour in 2013 performing in North America, Europe and Australia. In 2014, Hebel joined Groban's Summer Symphony Tour where Hebel soloed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony and Boston Pops among others.{{cite web|title=Josh Groban Announces 2011 "Straight To You" World Tour|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/josh-groban-announces-2011-straight-to-you-world-tour-1395413.htm|website=Market Wired|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Josh Groban announces orchestral summer tour, show with NC Symphony|url=http://trianglemusic.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/josh-groban-announces-orchestral-summer.html|website=Triangle Music|date=March 21, 2014 |accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
=Bruce Springsteen – Grammy Awards=
On February 12, 2012, Hebel performed on stage with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band to open the 54th Annual Grammy Awards live from Los Angeles, California on CBS.{{cite web|title=The 54th Annual Grammy Awards (2012)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234459/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_2|website=IMDB|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
=George Benson=
In 2015, Hebel began as Concertmaster and violin soloist with George Benson joining Benson on tour at venues and jazz festivals throughout Europe.{{cite web|title=Christian Hebel joins George Benson Tour 2015|url=http://www.christianhebel.com/newspage/2015/5/10/christian-hebel-joins-george-benson-tour-2015|website=Christian Hebel Official Site|accessdate= August 9, 2017}}
=National YoungArts Foundation=
Hebel began working with the National YoungArts Foundation in 2014 as an Artistic Director and Master Artist where he has directed performances at Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York Live Arts and will be directing an upcoming performance at The Kennedy Center. The National YoungArts Foundation identifies and nurtures the most accomplished young artists from across the United States ages 15–18 in the visual, literary, design and performing arts and is the sole nominator for the U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.{{cite web|title=SELECT MASTER ARTISTS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC|url=https://www.youngarts.org/master-artists/classical-music|website=National YoungArts Foundation|accessdate=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725132332/http://www.youngarts.org/master-artists/classical-music|archive-date=July 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=YoungArts@BAC|url=http://bacnyc.org/performances/performance/youngartsbac16performance|website=Baryshnikov Arts Center|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Photo Flash: Inside YoungArts' Inaugural New York Gala|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Inside-YoungArts-Inaugural-New-York-Gala-20160426|website=Broadway World|accessdate=August 3, 2017}}
Broadway
=Next to Normal=
In 2005 Hebel originated and helped create the violin part in Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's American rock musical Next to Normal. The show had a record breaking run on Broadway around the world, won 3 Tony Awards in 2009, and the Pulitzer Prize in 2010.{{cite web |title=Next to Normal |url=http://www.lortel.org/Archives/Production/4658 |website=Lortel Archives |accessdate=5 August 2018}}{{cite web |title=2010 Pulitzer Prizes |url=http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2010 |website=The Pulitzer Prizes |publisher=Columbia University |accessdate=5 August 2018}}
Speaking of Hebel, Kitt describes "Christian provided the depth and virtuosity that I needed and helped me define what for me, would become one of the most important elements in the music".{{cite web |last1=Tom |first1=Kitt |title=In their words.... |url=http://www.christianhebel.com/in-their-words/ |website=Christian Hebel |accessdate=5 August 2018}}
=American Idiot=
In 2009 Hebel originated and helped create the violin role in Green Day's punk rock Broadway show American Idiot. The show went on to win 2 Tony Awards and won the Grammy Award in 2011 for Best Musical Show Album.{{cite magazine |title=Green Day Rocks Tony Awards, 'American Idiot' Wins Two |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/957783/green-day-rocks-tony-awards-american-idiot-wins-two |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=5 August 2018}}{{cite web |title=American Idiot Wins Best Musical Show Album |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/videos/american-idiot-wins-best-musical-show-album |website=Grammy Awards |accessdate=5 August 2018|date=2011-02-15 }}
=Wicked=
Hebel originated and helped create the role of Concertmaster for the hit Broadway show Wicked in 2003. Hebel held the role of Concertmaster for over 12 years on Broadway where they won 3 Tony Awards and received a Grammy Award.{{cite web |title=WINNER OF OVER 100 MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AWARDS |url=https://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/london/about/awards |website=Wicked |accessdate=5 August 2018}} On July 12, 2018, with its 6,138th performance, it surpassed A Chorus Line to become Broadway's sixth-longest running show.{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |title=Wicked Becomes 6th Longest-Running Show in Broadway History July 12 |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/wicked-becomes-6th-longest-running-show-in-broadway-history-july-12 |website=Playbill |accessdate=5 August 2018|date=2018-07-12 }} In March 2016, Wicked surpassed $1 billion in total Broadway revenue, joining both The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King as the only Broadway shows to do so. In July 2017, Wicked surpassed The Phantom of the Opera as Broadway's second-highest grossing show, trailing only The Lion King.{{cite web |last1=McPhee |first1=Ryan |title=Wicked Surpasses The Phantom of the Opera as Second-Highest-Grossing Show in Broadway History |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/wicked-surpasses-the-phantom-of-the-opera-as-second-highest-grossing-show-in-broadway-history |website=Playbill |accessdate=5 August 2018|date=2017-07-11 }}
=The Light in the Piazza=
Hebel originated and helped create the violin and concertmaster role in Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel's 2005 Broadway musical The Light in the Piazza. Hebel began work on the show in 2002 in New York City and performed in productions in Seattle in 2003 and on Broadway in 2005. The show was awarded 6 Tony Awards in 2005.{{cite web |last1=Staff |first1=Playbill |title=Just the Facts: List of 2006 Tony Award Winners and Nominees |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/just-the-facts-list-of-2006-tony-award-winners-and-nominees-com-133125 |website=Playbill |accessdate=5 August 2018|date=2006-06-12 }}
=Sondheim On Sondheim=
Hebel originated and helped create the violin part for Stephen Sondheim's Broadway show Sondheim On Sondheim in 2010 starring Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams. The musical features interviews with Sondheim. The songs, including well-known, less-known and cut material, were from nineteen Sondheim shows (including student shows) produced over a 62-year period, including several songs from each of West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sunday in the Park with George, Merrily We Roll Along, Passion, and Into the Woods. Songs from his school years are included.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Kenneth |title=Sondheim on Sondheim, a New Musical Reflection of a Life in Art, Begins on Broadway |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/sondheim-on-sondheim-a-new-musical-reflection-of-a-life-in-art-begins-on-broadway-com-166910 |website=Playbill |accessdate=5 August 2018|date=2010-03-19 }}{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |title=DIVA TALK: Celebrating Sondheim with Sondheim on Sondheim Star Barbara Cook |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/diva-talk-celebrating-sondheim-with-sondheim-on-sondheim-star-barbara-cook-com-166968 |website=Playbill |accessdate=5 August 2018|date=2010-03-19 }}
=Spring Awakening=
Hebel was the Music Coordinator for the 2015 Broadway production of Duncan Sheik's Grammy Award and Tony Award winning rock musical Spring Awakening.{{cite web |title=Christian Hebel Musical Coordinator, Musical Contractor, Musical Staff, Musician |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/christian-hebel-392379 |website=IBDB |accessdate=5 August 2018}}
Discography
Hebel has achieved commercial success with both pop and classical albums.{{cite web|title=Christian Hebel|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/979073-Christian-Hebel|website=Discogs|accessdate=31 July 2017}}{{cite web|title=Christian Hebel|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/christian-hebel-mn0000339485|website=AllMusic|accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Christian Hebel|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/christian-hebel/2806364|website=ArtistDirect|accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Christian Hebel|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/christian-hebel-392379|website=IBDB|publisher=The Broadway League|accessdate=5 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Christian Hebel|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4492776/|website=IMDB|accessdate=5 August 2017}}
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Forgotten Conquest | Thom Jayne |
| 2002 | Wheel of Life | Stewart Francke |
| 2003 | Songs of Jason Robert Brown | Lauren Kennedy |
| 2005 | Tom Rogerson | Tom Rogerson |
| 2005 | At The Corner Of Broadway And Soul | Billy Porter |
| 2005 | Wearing Someone Else's Clothes | Jason Robert Brown |
| 2006 | Kingdom Come (Jay-Z album)|Kingdom Come | Jay-Z |
| 2006 | I'm Not Waiting | Julia Murney |
| 2007 | Here And Now | Lauren Kennedy |
| 2008 | When The Wind Blows South | Philip Chaffin |
| 2008 | Jason Danieley & The Frontier Heroes | Jason Danieley |
| 2008 | Fifteen Seconds of Grace | Victoria Clark |
| 2009 | Greenwich Time | Rebecca Luker |
| 2009 | Crazy Love | Michael Bublé |
| 2009 | Passage Of Time | Liz Callaway |
| 2011 | My Lifelong Love | Georgia Stitt |
| 2011 | Songs of Innocence and Experience | Lisa Howard |
| 2011 | What Matters Most | Barbra Streisand |
| 2012 | Another Kind Of Light | Raissa Katona Bennett |
| 2012 | Music From The Movies | Katherine Jenkins |
| 2012 | Songs from the Silver Screen | Jackie Evancho |
| 2013 | To Be Loved | Michael Bublé |
| 2013 | All That Echoes | Josh Groban |
| 2013 | Back to Brooklyn | Barbra Streisand |
| 2014 | Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics | Aretha Franklin |
| 2014 | Partners | Barbra Streisand |
| 2015 | Piece By Piece | Kelly Clarkson |
| 2015 | Brazilian Nights | Kenny G |
| 2016 | Nobody But Me | Michael Bublé |
=Live albums=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Live In Concert 2006 | Barbra Streisand |
| 2007 | Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall | Rufus Wainwright |
| 2011 | Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert | Billy Joel |
| 2017 | Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic | Barbra Streisand |
=Film Soundtracks and Broadway=
=Television=
Personal life
Hebel and actress Rachael Harris were married on April 30, 2015 and they lived and worked in Los Angeles, California and New York City with their two sons Henry (b. 2016) and Otto (b. 2018).{{cite web|last1=CORRISTON|first1=MICHELE|title=Rachael Harris Marries Christian Hebel – See the Photos|url=http://people.com/celebrity/rachael-harris-marries-christian-hebel/|website=People Celebrity|accessdate=3 August 2017}} Harris filed for divorce from Hebel in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/rachael-harris-divorcing-christian-hebel/|title=Lucifer's Rachael Harris Files for Divorce from Christian Hebel After 4 Years of Marriage|last=Corinthios|first=Aurelie|work=People|date=August 22, 2019|accessdate=August 23, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/lucifer-star-rachael-harris-and-husband-christian-hebel-divorcing-after-4-years-of-marriage-131028|title='Lucifer' Star Rachael Harris and Husband Christian Hebel Divorcing After 4 Years of Marriage|last=Calvario|first=Liz|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=August 22, 2019|accessdate=August 23, 2019}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.christianhebel.com}}
- {{IMDb name|id=4492776}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hebel, Christian}}
Category:American male classical violinists
Category:Musicians from Michigan
Category:People from Plymouth, Michigan