Israeli Opera: The Jazz Series 2011 – 2012

“Music is a dialogue between the artist and the audience – what I try to do is continue the conversation in a unique way from series to series.” Nitzan Kremer

This winter marks the beginning of the jazz season, and heading it off in a big way next month is the yearly Jazz Series at the Israeli Opera House. The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center will be presenting five concerts; hand picked and coordinated by musical director Nitzan Kremer. In his eighth year as program director for this Jazz Series, Kremer is breaking the mold of modern jazz and narrowing the gap between international and Israeli jazz musicians. This year is the debut of five distinctive concerts at the peak of the international music scene. By combining local and international musical mentalities the series offers a twist to the classic structure, promising an innovative version of the foot tapping, head swaying beats we all recognize.

The first concert will take place on December 2nd, 2011. As a tribute to the heroes of guitar and piano, this unique project will be performed for the first time in the form of a duet between American guitarist Joshua Breakstone and Italian pianist Toni Pancella. The two will be performing a homage to two highly esteemed duets of guitar and piano: Wes Montgomery with Wynton Kelly and Grant Green with Sonny Clark, both prominent duos from the emergence of the soul jazz scene in 1950s – 60s America.

Musical director Kremer speaks of the connection between Breakstone and Pancella: “The opportunity to combine two fantastic musicians is extremely exciting; they have similar musical styles, traditions, principles, and means of expression”. In this way the series launches what he refers to as a “global village” of musicians who simply, as he puts it, love music.

Both Breakstone and Pancella are no strangers to the jazz scene. Critics refer to Breakstone, who comes from Jewish decent (we like him already), as one of the world’s leading guitarists. Inspired by previously mentioned guitar legends Wes Montgomery and Grant Green, today he both composes and performs with some of jazz’s most name-drop worthy titles. Alongside his own compositions Breakstone often peppers the stage with tributes to Montgomery, Green, and of course the legendary pianist Thelonius Monk.

Breakstone’s enthusiasm is apparent as he prepares to arrive and perform in Israel for the first time: “To play in Tel Aviv is both intense and exciting for me. I’m coming with a lot of energy and a lot of love.”

Tony Pancella is returning to Israel – which he refers to as his second home – an already established and highly regarded musician. In the past years he has led a number of projects, including a tribute to Chet Baker together with Italian musicians Nicola Stilo and Michela Lombardi , as well as recording an album with Israeli guitarist Uri Bracha. He will be accompanied by Edward Vigoritto on the contrabass and Masimu Manzi on the drums.

The second concert of the series takes place on the 13th of February, 2012, and will be starring Kenny Barron, Los Angeles Times’ pick for one of the world’s most mesmerizing pianists. Barron will be performing with Kiyoshi Kitagawa on the contrabass and Jonathan Blake on the drums. Barron, a seasoned jazz player since his apprentice days with Dizzy Gillespie in New York, has played with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker and will grace our stage with compositions inspired by these legends and more. After 40 records and nine Grammy nominations, Barron is one of the sets’ most prominent guests and a must for fans of the classics.

The series’ third, fourth and fifth concerts which take place on March 23, April 20th and June 1st, respectively, promise original pieces in duets and compositions collaborating international and Israeli artists. Be on the look out for pieces by our own flutist Anat Cohen and pianist Omri Mor, due to perform in March. In the meantime, brave the cold rain of the winter and enjoy the warm notes floating through the Israeli Opera House. In the words of Kremer, “music is for anyone who can feel the connection. If you’re sensitive and curious about the place it can take you, it will take you there.”