Givatayim jazz fest mixes it up

The Israeli All Star Sextet, which will perform on the first evening, includes some of the cream of our homegrown talent.

By BARRY DAVIS
Updated: SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 16:09
jazz 88 (photo credit: )
jazz 88
(photo credit: )
This year’s Givatayim Jazz Festival will offer a mix of genres over its three-day program. The festival, which takes place for the ninth year at Givatayim Theater on May 6-8, features some of our top jazz artists alongside musicians who primarily earn their keep in a wide range of musical areas.
The Israeli All Star Sextet, which will perform on the first evening, includes some of the cream of our homegrown talent. Trombonist Avi Lebovich will line up with bass player Omer Avital, who still spends most of his time Stateside, with trumpeter Itamar Borohov, saxophonist Daniel Zamir, pianist Omri Mor and NYC-based drummer Aviv Cohen completing the band. 
The following evening, singer-percussionist Ravid Kahalani’s YemenBlues act will stretch the artistic and ethnic lines into other musicalareas. Kahalani’s band also features Avital and Lebovich, with Avitalalso on oud playing duty. Other members of the nonet includingtrumpeter Niv Toar, NYC-based flutist Hadar Neubreg and viola playerGalia Hai. Kahalani initially came to notice as a member of IdanReichel’s cross-genre act.
Fans of more traditional jazz should enjoy the Swingin’ Nights slotwith the Tel Aviv Israel Conservatory Big Band hosting singer MarinaMaximilian Blumin, while the opening duo show of veteransinger-songwriter-pianist Yoni Rechter and bassist Yorai Oron offersentertainment from the intimate balladic side of the musical tracks.
Elsewhere in the Givatayim program internationally renowned saxophonistEli Degibri teams up with singer-songwriter-pianist Shlomi Shaban, andthe Malox Live show of saxophonist Eyal Talmudi – of Balkan Beat Boxfame – and drummer Hagai Fershtman will venture into funky and morechallenging areas.
For more information about the Givatayim Jazz Festival: www.t-g.co.il.