From February 15-18, the Tel Aviv Cinematheque will host the 22nd International Tel Aviv Jazz Festival. Irit Mor talks of this year's exciting idea to exhibit original festival productions and world premiere combos with the different participating musicians!
The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, in its 22nd year, is one of the most important jazz events in Israel.
The Festival has garnered a prestigious reputation in Israel and abroad as a magnet for stellar jazz performers and a home for special projects. However, the Festival's main attraction is the exciting experience it provides for jazz aficionados. This year, the Festival will host internationally known jazz musicians, who will play side-by-side with Israeli musicians, in original Festival productions and premiere performances.
Among the artists who will take part in this year's festival are:
Dee Alexander, "Queen of Chicago" – The warm-voiced singer will perform pieces from her latest album, as well as a tribute to Nina Simone and Diana Washington.
Tigran Hamasyan – A young piano star from Armenia plays a jazz that combines tradition, innovation and virtuosity.
The Nicole Mitchell Trio – Winner of the "Flutist of the Year 2010" award for new, daring and original jazz. Mitchell will perform with Hamid Drake and Harrison Bankhead.
The rising star in New York jazz, alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, will connect with George Colligan to present original pieces, old standards, and Wayne Shorter's compositions.
The ensemble gathered by Steven Bernstein, trumpeter and composer performs lively, funky Latino arrangements for traditional Jewish songs.
The main Israeli performance this year will be an original production entitled "Tel Aviv-Paris-New York". In this performance, the Tel Aviv Jazz orchestra will host Efrat Gosh, singer of the year, 2010. Together they will embark on a world-embracing musical journey that will include a selection of American standards by Gershwin, familiar French chansons, as well as Efrat's biggest hits, in special arrangements for this evening, by Amikam Kimmelman, who will conduct the orchestra.
The above performances will be joined by a wide variety of Israeli jazz combos, old and new alike, in diverse styles and tastes. As fitting for a jazz festival that has championed new and original creative works, there will be several original productions that will make their debut: Shauli Einav will host Tigran Hamasyan, Albert Beger will perform a duet with the drummer Hamid Drake, The Arik Strauss Trio, Ofer Peled, Ayelet Rose Gottleib and more.
Like every year, it will be possible to enjoy free live performances of jazz combos in the lobby of the Cinematheque.
Musical Direction: Nitzan Kramer, Barak Weiss
Tickets: Tel Aviv Cinematheque, Sprinzak St. 2, Tel Aviv. Tel: 03-6060800. Or by Internet
