Israel Travel

The first concerts of Cohen in Israel, with his acoustic trio of Shai Maestro (piano) and Mark Giuliana (drums), will take place at Jerusalem’s The Lab art center on Thursday October 11. The Israeli bassist will also perform at Tel Aviv’s Zappa Club, starting from Friday, October 12 till Sunday October 14.

Avishai Cohen, born April 20, 1970 in Israel, is a musician who has been called a jazz visionary of global proportions by DownBeat, and was declared one of the 100 Most Influential Bass Players of the 20th Century by Bass Player Magazine. Until late in 2003, Avishai was a member of the Chick Corea New Trio, and accompanist to other jazz note-worthies, including Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Nnenna Freelon, Claudia Acuna, Paquito DRivera and many others.

His new album offers an overview of his career with highlights from his recordings: Smash, Elli, Samuel, One For Mark and Nu Nu are from Continuo (RazDaz, 2006), Remembering and Feediop were featured on At Home (RazDaz, 2005), Etude stems from the recording Unity (Avishai Cohen & The International Vamp Band, Stretch, 2001), and Bass Suite #1 is a stand out track from Avishais debut release, Adama (Stretch, 1998).

Sponsored Links – L'hotel Melody Tel Aviv  | Israel Tourist Guide | Garage Gym in Tel Aviv | Center Hotel Tel Aviv

The Jazz Festivals in Eilat have roots in the middle of the 1980s but it is only in the last couple of years that it has become a catalyst for the development of a new kind of rich jazz environment, which places the broad style of jazz music in the cultural mainstream of the Israeli public audience. The Red Sea festival not only attracts leading international jazz musicians that are a great source of inspiration for local jazz groups, but it drives other leading jazz performers to play in Israel throughout the year. The year 2007 is probably the best ever in terms of the quality of the international jazz favorites that have come to play here in the holy land.

 
Eilat Red Sea Jazz Festival

The small-scale event for jazz buffs which started in 1987 became a major three-day jazz festival drawing the foremost overseas artists. During the 20 years of its existence more than 1500 world class jazz artists have been hosted by the highly esteemed festival which aligns with the most important jazz festivals worldwide.

This year's festival, which took place in Eilat Sea Port from August 27 until August 30, featured a global array of artists from a broad spectrum of musical styles, from New Orleans and Latin to top Israeli groups.

Highlights of the 21st International Jazz Festival include the famous British Jazz group "Incognito". Formed in 1979 in London, England by leader Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Incognito deliver a blend of Hip Hop, Acid Jazz with a touch of Rhythm & Blues.

Award-winning, jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri was perform with his group STEPS AHEAD and the American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist Joey Defrancesco and his trio featuring Ron Blake combined their talents in a organ/sax jazz concert. Other interesting international groups that performed in the festival are: Bireli Lagrene and Sara Lazarus, Vienna Art Orchestra, Chris Potter's Underground Quartet, Conrad Herwig and Brian Lynch, and Tomasz Stanko Quartet.

10 Israeli ensembles, selected out of 80 applicants, will perform in the festival alongside the international groups. The Israeli groups in the festival are Shem Tov Levy Ensemble, Rony Holan in a tribute to Tony Williams, Hot Club of Israel led by Roman Alexeev, Walakata, The Mamelo Gaitanopoulos Nonet, Arad Yeini in a tribute to Lee Morgan, Fourword Quartet, Arie Volinez Group, Hagiga Sextet and Meir Ben Michael Quintet.

Jerusalem Jazz Festival

The International Jazz Festival held in Jerusalem is still small compared to the Eilat jazz festivals, but this year it has succeeded in bringing famous jazz artists from around the world. International Jazz favorites such as Slide Hampton, one of the greatest trombonists of all time, and Carmen Lundy, one of the most talented, sophisticated and respected jazz singers in the past 30 years, participated in the Jerusalem Jazz Festival 2007, which took place in David’s Tower Museum and the Yellow Submarine, from June 19 until June 22.

Slide Hampton appeared in Jerusalem heading a band of four trombones and a Rhythm Section, in a performance of mostly original arrangements of the delicate and sensual Bossa-Nova music of the renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Carmen Lundy Quartet was featuring the brilliant pianist Anthony Wonsey, Carmen’s brother the respected contrabass player Curtis Lundy, The Norwegian guitarist Lage Land and the young New York drummer Jason Brown.

Tel Aviv Jazz Festival

The famous saxophonist Pharoah Sanders cancelled his arrival to the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival 2007 but it didn’t stop it from being one of the most comprehensive jazz events in Israel for some time. The Festival was celebrating its 18th annual event with leading international artists like the pianist Stefano Bollani, the saxophone and clarinet player Matt Renzi along with his Trio; the Organissimo Trio from Michigan, and the American jazz vocalists Judy Wexler.

Israeli Jazz musicians participated with special performances for the festival from - Slava Ganelin and Vladimir Volkov, Daniel Zamir and Omri Mor, Julia Feldman, Uri Bracha, Nadav Haber, and many others.

While the internationally renowned musicians still caught most of the attention at the jazz festivals in Israel, there was no doubt that the quality of the Israeli jazz performers was one of the best ever. No wonder! The international jazz stars are a source of inspiration, creating new standards to rise to. And the local musicians learned the lessons year after year in order to climb to the top levels. Some of them had to taste the Jazz atmosphere of New York City or go to study in Barkley, but those who stayed in Israel had the talent, motivation and openness to bring new sound to their music. Sounds that are drawn from the richness of the Mediterranean music culture.

Will the rise of Israeli jazz musicians be a catalyst for the development of a new type of cooperation between the major force on the local music scene and the leading international artists? We need to wait for next year to see if this wish will come true.

Sponsored Links – Center Tel Aviv hotel | Israel Hostels | Voyages en Israel

International Jazz favorites such as Mike Mainieri, Joey Defrancesco and incognito, will join Israeli Jazz favorites such as Arie Volinez Group, Shem Tov Levy Ensemble and Walakata as headliners for this year's Red Sea Jazz festival in Eilat.

This year festival, which will take place in Eilat Sea Port from August 27 until August 30, features a global array of artists as well from a broad spectrum of music styles, from New Orleans and Latin to top Israeli groups.

Highlights in Eilat jazz festival 2007 include the British famous Jazz group incognito. Formed in 1979 in London, England by leader Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, incognito deliver a blend of Hip Hop, Acid Jazz with a touch of Rhythm & Blues.

Award-winning jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri will perform with his group STEPS AHEAD and the American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist Joey Defrancesco and his trio featuring Ron Blake will combine their talents in a organ/sax jazz concert.

Other interesting international groups to perform in the festival are: Bireli Lagrene and Sara Lazarus, Vienna Art Orchestra, Chris Potter and his Underground Quartet, Conrad Herwig and Brian Lynch, and Tomasz Stanko Quartet.

In addition to these groups there will also be a special concert on the central stage given by teachers from both the Boston Berkley College and Rimon school.

Sponsored Links – Eilat Nova Hotel | Basel Tel Aviv Sea Hotel | Cinema Tel Aviv Boutique Hotel

Achinoam Nini, will join International Jazz favorites such as Slide Hampton and Carmen Lundy as headliners for this year's Jerusalem Jazz Festival. Artists from around the world will be participating along with Israeli artists in the International Jazz Festival 2007 in Jerusalem, which will take place in David’s Tower Museum and the Yellow Submarine, from June 19 until June 22.

Achinoam Nini ("Noa"), one of Israel’s most successful singers internationally, is returns to the jazz scene with “Noa Sings Jazz”, an international premiere performance, opening a world tour immediately after the festival.

Achinoam Nini is hosting a special, intimate and sensitive jazz evening, singing in the original language, English, from the great American songbook songs by George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin among others, giving these celebrated standards a rich, warm, sophisticated and above all extremely personal vocal interpretation. Achinoam Nini is accompanied by Gil Dor (guitar) Yorai Oron (contrabass) and Yaaki Levy (drums).

Slide Hampton, one of the greatest trombonists of all time, will appear in Jerusalem heading a band of four trombones and a Rhythm Section, in a performance of mostly original arrangements of the delicate and sensual Bossa-Nova music of the renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The band will also play Slide Hampton’s original, special and creative arrangements of familiar jazz standards as well as original tunes. The four trombone frontline appearing in Jerusalem will feature Steve Davis, one of today's finest trombonists, Israel’s foremost trombonist Avi Leibovich, and Yonatan Volchock who is active on the New York scene and a member of Dizzy Gillespie orchestra as well as Slide Hampton’s Trombone combos.

Carmen Lundy, one of the most talented, sophisticated and respected jazz singers in the past 30 years, will appear in Jeruslaem with her usual accompanying band. The Carmen Lundy Quartet is  featuring the brilliant pianist Anthony Wonsey, Carmen’s brother the respected contrabass player Curtis Lundy, The Norwegian guitarist Lage Land and the young New York drummer Jason Brown. Carmen Lundy will perform a selection of songs from her abundant repertoire, including old and familiar standards and her own original compositions.

Sponsored Links – Hotels in Tel Aviv | Israel Travel Tips | Eilat Nova Hotel | Fine Art in Israel