Red Sea Jazz Festival

The small-scale event for jazz buffs which started in 1987 became a major three-day jazz festival drawing the foremost overseas artists. During the 20 years of its existence more than 1500 world class jazz artists have been hosted by the highly esteemed festival which aligns with the most important jazz festivals worldwide.

This year’s festival, which took place in Eilat Sea Port from August 27 until August 30, featured a global array of artists from a broad spectrum of musical styles, from New Orleans and Latin to top Israeli groups.

Highlights of the 21st International Jazz Festival include the famous British Jazz group Incognito. Formed in 1979 in London, England by leader Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, Incognito deliver a blend of Hip Hop, Acid Jazz with a touch of Rhythm & Blues.

Award-winning, jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri was perform with his group STEPS AHEAD and the American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist Joey Defrancesco and his trio featuring Ron Blake combined their talents in a organ/sax jazz concert. Other interesting international groups that performed in the festival are: 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 out of 80 applicants, will perform in the festival alongside the international groups. The Israeli groups in the festival are Shem Tov Levy Ensemble, Rony Holan in a tribute to Tony Williams, Hot Club of Israel led by Roman Alexeev, Walakata, The Mamelo Gaitanopoulos Nonet, Arad Yeini in a tribute to Lee Morgan, Fourword Quartet, Arie Volinez Group, Hagiga Sextet and Meir Ben Michael Quintet.

Jerusalem Jazz Festival

The International Jazz Festival held in Jerusalem is still small compared to the Eilat jazz festivals, but this year it has succeeded in bringing famous jazz artists from around the world. International Jazz favorites such as Slide Hampton, one of the greatest trombonists of all time, and Carmen Lundy, one of the most talented, sophisticated and respected jazz singers in the past 30 years, participated in the Jerusalem Jazz Festival 2007, which took place in David’s Tower Museum and the Yellow Submarine, from June 19 until June 22.

Slide Hampton appeared in Jerusalem heading a band of four trombones and a Rhythm Section, in a performance of mostly original arrangements of the delicate and sensual Bossa-Nova music of the renowned Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Carmen Lundy Quartet was featuring the brilliant pianist Anthony Wonsey, Carmen’s brother the respected contrabass player Curtis Lundy, The Norwegian guitarist Lage Land and the young New York drummer Jason Brown.

Tel Aviv Jazz Festival

The famous saxophonist Pharoah Sanders cancelled his arrival to the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival 2007 but it didn’t stop it from being one of the most comprehensive jazz events in Israel for some time. The Festival was celebrating its 18th annual event with leading international artists like the pianist Stefano Bollani, the saxophone and clarinet player Matt Renzi along with his Trio; the Organissimo Trio from Michigan, and the American jazz vocalists Judy Wexler.

Israeli Jazz musicians participated with special performances for the festival from – Slava Ganelin and Vladimir Volkov, Daniel Zamir and Omri Mor, Julia Feldman, Uri Bracha, Nadav Haber, and many others.

While the internationally renowned musicians still caught most of the attention at the jazz festivals in Israel, there was no doubt that the quality of the Israeli jazz performers was one of the best ever. No wonder! The international jazz stars are a source of inspiration, creating new standards to rise to. And the local musicians learned the lessons year after year in order to climb to the top levels. Some of them had to taste the Jazz atmosphere of New York City or go to study in Barkley, but those who stayed in Israel had the talent, motivation and openness to bring new sound to their music. Sounds that are drawn from the richness of the Mediterranean music culture.

Will the rise of Israeli jazz musicians be a catalyst for the development of a new type of cooperation between the major force on the local music scene and the leading international artists? We need to wait for next year to see if this wish will come true.

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Boaz Babai is a Jazz fan that also provides web marketing consulting services to Atlas Tel Aviv Hotels, a leading mid-luxury hotel chain in Tel Aviv Israel for business and leisure travels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Boaz_Babai

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The music that was called jazz was popular in many countries, including the United States. At the same time it quickly spread to many countries in Europe, and then to many parts of Asia, South America and Australia.

What makes jazz unique? Among other things the unique features of Jazz include ‘blue notes,” improvisation and syncopation. Jazz relies primarily on the spontaneous expression of the musicians – usually playing in small groups – and does not necessarily use a written score. The 1930s saw a rapid rise in the popularity of jazz. Although black musicians dominated the jazz scene, the 1930s saw an increase in the number of white jazz singers and players. But during this time jazz still remained true to its roots and to the African-American blues musicians who created it.

Jazz is a music of the world. It combines classical, popular and traditional American music with important strains of European and African musical traditions. Jazz is very technically sophisticated while still remaining spontaneous and improvisational. To really develop a good understanding and appreciation of jazz it is important to experience all aspects of the music, listen to the masters and join other musicians in playing. Jazz is truly a group experience.

Jazz is a musical style that contains a lot of self-expression. Open your mind to many different jazz musicians by listening to them play and then joining a group of musicians in your own jazz combo. Because of its improvisational character, Jazz is usually not the kind of music that can be perfected by individual practice.

For a musician learning improvisation, it is wiser to begin with simple songs. Basic techniques can be learned through listening to other musicians, experimenting, or taking some lessons. Those techniques, once mastered, can be applied in a more advanced way to more complicated songs. Remember, too, that a jazz musician is more about self-expression than technique.

Start experimenting by playing the music the way is written, but occasionally modifying certain phrasings and adding a few embellishments of your own. This is a great way to become comfortable with jazz improvisation. This process of “intentionally messing up”, and learning what sounds good is not just for piano or guitar, but can be applied to any of the hundreds of instruments used in jazz.

Immerse yourself in jazz music by listening to both contemporary and traditional jazz masters. There are also schools of musical instruction that specialize in teaching jazz, jazz improvisation, jazz soloing, and many other facets of the discipline. If you are serious about playing jazz music, one of these jazz schools might be the most direct way to get your career as a jazz musician going in the right direction.

One of the richest, most expressive and satisfying genres of music for the musician looking for creative expression is, without a doubt, jazz. It creates a magic which cannot be expressed in words. When people are really interested in actually listening to the music, jazz can be the most appropriate and entertaining type of music you can choose for almost any occasion. Being equally challenging and rewarding for the musician – what could be better than that!

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