The Eilat Jazz Festivals have their roots in the mid-1980s, but only in recent years have they become a catalyst for the development of a new kind of rich jazz environment, placing the broad style of music jazz into the cultural mainstream of the Israeli public audience. The Red Sea festival not only attracts leading international jazz musicians who are a great source of inspiration for local jazz groups, but also encourages other prominent jazz artists to play in Israel throughout the year. The year 2007 is probably the best in history in terms of the quality of international jazz favorites who have come to play here in the Holy Land.
Red Sea jazz festival
The small-scale event for jazz fans that began in 1987 grew into a major three-day jazz festival that attracted the most prominent foreign artists. Over the 20 years of its existence, more than 1,500 world-class jazz artists have hosted the prestigious festival that ranks with the top jazz festivals in the world.
This year’s festival, which took place in the seaport of Eilat from August 27-30, featured a global variety of artists from a wide spectrum of musical styles, from New Orleans and Latin music to the best Israeli groups.
Highlights of the 21st International Jazz Festival include the famous British jazz group Incognito. Formed in 1979 in London, England by frontman Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, Incognito offers a blend of Hip Hop, Acid Jazz with a hint of Rhythm & Blues.
Award-winning jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri performed with his group STEPS AHEAD and American jazz organist, trumpeter and vocalist Joey Defrancesco and his trio with Ron Blake combined their talents in a jazz organ and saxophone concert. Other interesting international groups that performed at the festival include: 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 from 80 applicants, will perform at the festival along with the international groups. The Israeli groups at the festival are Shem Tov Levy Ensemble, Rony Holan in tribute to Tony Williams, Hot Club of Israel directed by Roman Alexeev, Walakata, The Mamelo Gaitanopoulos Nonet, Arad Yeini in tribute to Lee Morgan, Fourword Quartet, Arie Grupo Volinez , Hagiga Sextet and Meir Ben Michael Quintet.
Jerusalem jazz festival
The International Jazz Festival held in Jerusalem is still small compared to Eilat’s jazz festivals, but this year it has managed to bring in famous jazz artists from all over the world. International jazz favorites like Slide Hampton, one of the greatest trombonists of all time, and Carmen Lundy, one of the most talented, sophisticated and respected jazz singers of the last 30 years, participated in the 2007 Jerusalem Jazz Festival, which took place at the Tower of David Museum and the Yellow Submarine, from June 19 to 22.
Slide Hampton appeared in Jerusalem leading a band of four trombones and a Rhythm Section, in a performance of mostly original arrangements of the delicate and sensual Bossa-Nova music by renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Carmen Lundy Quartet featured brilliant pianist Anthony Wonsey, Carmen’s brother, respected double bassist Curtis Lundy, Norwegian guitarist Lage Land, and young New York drummer Jason Brown.
Tel-Aviv Jazz Festival
Famed saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders canceled his arrival at the 2007 Tel Aviv Jazz Festival but it didn’t stop it from being one of Israel’s most comprehensive jazz events for some time. The Festival celebrated its 18th annual event with outstanding international artists such as the pianist Stefano Bollani, the saxophonist and clarinetist Matt Renzi together with his Trio; the Organissimo Trio from Michigan and American jazz singer Judy Wexler.
Israeli jazz musicians participated with special performances for the festival by: Slava Ganelin and Vladimir Volkov, Daniel Zamir and Omri Mor, Julia Feldman, Uri Bracha, Nadav Haber and many others.
While internationally renowned musicians still garnered most of the attention at jazz festivals in Israel, there was no doubt that the quality of Israeli jazz performers was among the best in history. It is not surprising! International jazz stars are a source of inspiration, creating new standards to reach. And the local musicians learned the lessons year after year to climb to the highest levels. Some of them had to try the New York City jazz atmosphere or go to Barkley to study, but those who stayed in Israel had the talent, motivation and openness to bring new sounds to their music. Sounds that are extracted from the richness of the Mediterranean musical culture.
Will the rise of Israeli jazz musicians be a catalyst for the development of a new type of cooperation between the main force of the local music scene and leading international artists? We have to wait for next year to see if this wish comes true.
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