The Rise of The Israeli New Jazz Scene

The Jazz Festivals in Eilat have roots in the middle ofThe International Jazz Festival held in Jerusalem is still
the 1980s but it is only in the last couple of years that itsmall compared to the Eilat jazz festivals, but this year
has become a catalyst for the development of a newit has succeeded in bringing famous jazz artists from
kind of rich jazz environment, which places the broadaround the world. International Jazz favorites such as
style of jazz music in the cultural mainstream of theSlide Hampton, one of the greatest trombonists of all
Israeli public audience. The Red Sea festival not onlytime, and Carmen Lundy, one of the most talented,
attracts leading international jazz musicians that are asophisticated and respected jazz singers in the past
great source of inspiration for local jazz groups, but it30 years, participated in the Jerusalem Jazz Festival
drives other leading jazz performers to play in Israel2007, which took place in David's Tower Museum and
throughout the year. The year 2007 is probably thethe Yellow Submarine, from June 19 until June 22.
best ever in terms of the quality of the internationalSlide Hampton appeared in Jerusalem heading a band
jazz favorites that have come to play here in the holyof four trombones and a Rhythm Section, in a
land.performance of mostly original arrangements of the
Red Sea Jazz Festivaldelicate and sensual Bossa-Nova music of the
renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The small-scale event for jazz buffs which started inThe Carmen Lundy Quartet was featuring the brilliant
1987 became a major three-day jazz festival drawingpianist Anthony Wonsey, Carmen's brother the
the foremost overseas artists. During the 20 years ofrespected contrabass player Curtis Lundy, The
its existence more than 1500 world class jazz artistsNorwegian guitarist Lage Land and the young New
have been hosted by the highly esteemed festivalYork drummer Jason Brown.
which aligns with the most important jazz festivalsTel Aviv Jazz Festival
worldwide.The famous saxophonist Pharoah Sanders cancelled
This year's festival, which took place in Eilat Sea Porthis arrival to the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival 2007 but it
from August 27 until August 30, featured a globaldidn't stop it from being one of the most
array of artists from a broad spectrum of musicalcomprehensive jazz events in Israel for some time.
styles, from New Orleans and Latin to top IsraeliThe Festival was celebrating its 18th annual event with
groups.leading international artists like the pianist Stefano
Highlights of the 21st International Jazz Festival includeBollani, the saxophone and clarinet player Matt Renzi
the famous British Jazz group Incognito. Formed inalong with his Trio; the Organissimo Trio from Michigan,
1979 in London, England by leader Jean-Paul "Bluey"and the American jazz vocalists Judy Wexler.
Maunick, Incognito deliver a blend of Hip Hop, Acid JazzIsraeli Jazz musicians participated with special
with a touch of Rhythm & Blues.performances for the festival from - Slava Ganelin
Award-winning, jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri wasand Vladimir Volkov, Daniel Zamir and Omri Mor, Julia
perform with his group STEPS AHEAD and theFeldman, Uri Bracha, Nadav Haber, and many others.
American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist JoeyWhile the internationally renowned musicians still caught
Defrancesco and his trio featuring Ron Blakemost of the attention at the jazz festivals in Israel,
combined their talents in a organ/sax jazz concert.there was no doubt that the quality of the Israeli jazz
Other interesting international groups that performed inperformers was one of the best ever. No wonder!
the festival are: Bireli Lagrene and Sara Lazarus,The international jazz stars are a source of inspiration,
Vienna Art Orchestra, Chris Potter's Undergroundcreating new standards to rise to. And the local
Quartet, Conrad Herwig and Brian Lynch, and Tomaszmusicians learned the lessons year after year in order
Stanko Quartet.to climb to the top levels. Some of them had to taste
10 Israeli ensembles, selected out of 80 applicants, willthe Jazz atmosphere of New York City or go to
perform in the festival alongside the internationalstudy in Barkley, but those who stayed in Israel had the
groups. The Israeli groups in the festival are Shem Tovtalent, motivation and openness to bring new sound to
Levy Ensemble, Rony Holan in a tribute to Tonytheir music. Sounds that are drawn from the richness
Williams, Hot Club of Israel led by Roman Alexeev,of the Mediterranean music culture.
Walakata, The Mamelo Gaitanopoulos Nonet, AradWill the rise of Israeli jazz musicians be a catalyst for
Yeini in a tribute to Lee Morgan, Fourword Quartet,the development of a new type of cooperation
Arie Volinez Group, Hagiga Sextet and Meir Benbetween the major force on the local music scene
Michael Quintet.and the leading international artists? We need to wait
Jerusalem Jazz Festivalfor next year to see if this wish will come true.