Jazzed in Eilat: The must-sees of this year's jazz festival
A surprising collaboration between Avishai Cohen and Omri Mor, the powerful strength of Leyla McCalla and the Touré-Raichel Collective, bringing Mali to Tel Aviv, are just some performances from all corners of the world that jazz lovers won't want to miss in this year's Red Sea Festival, starting August 23.
Avishai Cohen and Omri Mor
It should have happened a long time ago, but here it comes. The Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat has gained a reputation as a matchmaker, and this time we are talking about a required collaboration.
Each of these musicians has already proved himself: Omri Mor is one of the most acclaimed pianists in the Israeli jazz scene and an individualist musician with a personal statement and silent strength; contrabassist Avishai Cohen, Israel's No. 1 export in the field of jazz, is a complex musical entity with the qualities of a rock star.
It's hard to imagine two more different musicians, and yet precisely because of that – this appears to be a super combination. An opening show featuring patriotism and a twist.
Leyla McCalla
In the midway between blues and folk, in the range of Creole and English languages, between the sounds of the cello and banjo, Leyla McCalla, one of the most fascinating names in the festival's program, is a combination of softness and strength.
McCalla, who was born in New York to a Haitian immigrant family, is influenced not only by her biographical roots but also by the musical roots of the south she has adopted.
With a slightly hoarse voice which comes from deep inside, her performance outlines an original and complex musical personality. There's nothing better than discovering new names who give you that feeling of jazz.
Ron Carter
It's true that he has performed quite often in Israel in recent years, so this is allegedly an obvious recommendation. But when it comes to a musician like Ron Carter, one of the most recorded bassists in the history of American jazz, every opportunity to see him on stage is something you will not want to miss.
Carter, who is almost 80 years old, is a "living legend." He has been in all the most important and influential crossroads, and has not rested for a minute since the beginning of his career.
Carter is returning to Israel with drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos, who played with him in his previous visit to Israel. So why see him again? Because of the wisdom, because of the endless diversity and the depth which have no boundaries, because of the most innovative classics and the most classic innovation there is, because of the curiosity which is never satisfied.
Sonex
If I had to place a bet, I would say Sonex will be one of the biggest surprises in this year's festival. It's true that one has to search for the jazz in the variety of beats offered by this excellent Mexican ensemble, but they provide improvisations, drums, guitar and sound.
Salsa, flamenco, reggae, afro-jazz – it's a kind of feel-good fruit salad. Why? Simply because they are cool, and there is no greater fun than encountering new things you were not familiar with.
Joe Lovano
There's no need to introduce "one of the greatest musicians in jazz history," according to the New York Times. Joe Lovano visits Israel often. His alto saxophone has its own temperament, the sound is complex and direct but just as elegant, and the soul is accessible and sweeps you away.
The Touré-Raichel Collective hosts Yossi Fine
An intriguing collaboration in the amorphous arena of world music. Israeli musician Idan Raichel and guitar virtuoso Vieux Farka Touré meet somewhere in the middle between Bamako, the capital of Mali, and Tel Aviv, the unofficial capital of Israel.
It's slightly difficult defining the new sound created by the combination between the different musical heritages each of these artists comes from, and yet the result, which is based on quite a lot of improvisation, provides a feeling of freedom.
The 29th international Red Sea Jazz festival, directed by internationally acclaimed musician Eli Degibri, will be held in Eilat from August 23 through August 26.
The lineup also includes the Jack DeJohnette Trio with Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison, Israeli rock artist Berry Sakharof hosting renowned bassist Eli Magen and mesmerizing trumpeter Avishai Cohen, Daniel Zamir with special guest Eviatar Banai, French singer Cyrille Aimée, the Barak Mori Trio featuring Anat Cohen, Kendrik Scott Oracle, the Omer Klein Trio, Brass-A-Holics, the Ilan Salem Sextet and the Ofer Landsberg Quintet.
