YORON ISRAEL
Drummer,
Percussionist, Composer, Band Leader and Educator
Yoron
Israel, a native Chicagoan, is one of the most gifted and sought after musicians
in the music industry today. Yoron's
exciting and tasteful drumming, along with his compositional talents are
spotlighted throughout his CD’s. They
are “Basic Traneing” (Ronja Music Company), “Chicago” (Double
Time), “Live at the Blue Note” (Half Note), "A Gift for You" (Ronja Music
Company) All of these fine works have received enthusiastic praise from
journalists, musical peers and fans alike.
The CD’s represent the extensive depth of Yoron Israel’s musicianship as
he continues to evolve as a leader. He
brings his unique influences and experiences in the “Jazz”, Latin, Gospel, Funk,
R & B and Orchestral idioms full circle with his compositions, arrangements,
repertoire and ensemble concepts.
“Music to be enjoyed by all”, as Jack DeJohnette quotes, “A
Gift for You" is a sparkling musical offering from a drummer who has
good taste. He has a sense of direction
and a feeling of joy in his drumming, compositions and arrangements. Yoron Israel is an important voice you should
listen to."
“Basic Traneing”, reached number three on the
National Jazz chart in 2004.
It features his current trio "Organic" with organist Kyle
Koehler, guitarist Ed Cherry, along with special guests Jay Hoggard (vibraphone/
marimba) and Billy Pierce (tenor and soprano saxophone). Yoron’s group, "Organic"
performs original compositions associated with the soulful organ legacy of
Jimmy Smith, Larry Young and Lonnie Smith as well as arrangements of “standards”
that bridge the gap between musical styles, highlighting the versatility and
virtuosity of the musicians.
The
recording “Chicago”, released in 2000 on the Double Time label, features
saxophonist Joe Lovano, organist Larry Goldings and guitarist Marvin Sewell.
Yoron pays tribute to his birthplace by performing original works and
compositions by other influential Chicago natives such as Johnny Griffin,
Maurice White, Jack Dejohnette, Clifford Jordan, Donny Hathaway and Julian
Priester.
"Live from the Blue Note"
is Yoron Israel’s
second recording, featuring his quintet
"Connection", with vibraphonist Bryan Carrott, guitarist Ed
Cherry, and bassist Sean Conly, along side special guests, trombonist Steve
Turre and saxophonist Eric Alexander.
“A Gift for You”, Yoron’s debut recording was produced by Ronja
Music Company, originally released in 1996 and recently re-released in
2006. It includes performances by
pianist James Williams, saxophonists Lance Bryant and Donald Harrison, trumpeter
Phillip Harper and bassist John Lockwood along with regulars Carrott and
Cherry. "Connection"
was formed in 1994 and highlights the unique and enticing instrumental blend of
drums/percussion, vibraphone/marimba, guitar, tenor/soprano saxophone, and
bass. The inspiring interplay is based
on common musical vocabularies shared by the band members and formulates a
unified ensemble sound that connects the listener to this musical
experience.
For select engagements, Yoron has showcased the talents
of Tom Harrell,
Steve Turre, Miles Griffith, Antonio Hart, Eric
Alexander, Amina Claudine Meyers and Joe Lovano, bringing even more diversity
and impact to his performances.
In
addition to leading “Connection”,
“Organic” and the newly formed Boston based band “High Standards”,
Yoron’s brilliant musicality, intensity and versatility are appreciated
worldwide, through consistent performances at prestigious concerts, notable
festivals, and prominent clubs as well as on more than 100 major
recordings. Otis Clay, Shirley
Caesar, Kenny Burrell, Horace Silver, Sonny
Rollins, Abbey Lincoln, Ahmad Jamal, Benny Golson,
Curtis Fuller, Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, Bobby
Hutchinson, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Heath, Cedar
Walton, Grover Washington, Freddie Cole, Tony Bennett, Joe
Williams, Pharoah Sanders, David “Fathead” Newman, Red Holloway, Larry
Coryell, Doctor Lonnie Smith, Bennie Wallace, Joe Lovano, Tom
Harrell, Vanessa Rubin, Kevin Mahogany, Roy Hargrove,
Bill Mays, James Williams, Cyrus Chestnut and Joshua Redman are
among the numerous artists that he has worked with. He currently performs regularly with Vocalist
Cynthia Scott and Jay Hoggard.
Since 2000, he has maintained a busy schedule performing and
recording with many outstanding Boston based artists, such as The Macanda
Project, Laszlo Gardony, Stan Strickland, Tiger Ohkoshi,
Gabrielle Goodman, Shawn Monterro and Lance Bryant to name a few. Additionally, he has become a first call
accompanist for a wide range of artists appearing in the New England area; this
list includes Frank Morgan, Joanne Brackeen, Eliane Elias,
Larry Goldings, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jane Ira Bloom, Clark Terry and
Joey DeFrancesco, among others.
Yoron’s upcoming musical projects include performances with vocalist
Kenny Rankin, as well a new recording this summer, his fifth as a
leader.
Yoron
Israel is currently the Assistant Chair of Percussion at Berklee College of
Music in Boston Massachusetts. He
received his Master of Music degree from Rutgers University ‘97
(New Brunswick, NJ) and Bachelor of Music degree from Roosevelt
University’86 (Chicago IL). He has recently authored an educational DVD,
entitled “Creative Jazz Improvisation for Drum Set”, and published by Hal
Leonard and Berklee Press Company. Mr.
Israel was formerly on the faculty at Rutgers University, William Paterson
University and Mannes New School, he continues to teach privately, conduct
clinics, workshops, residencies and music camps throughout the world. These include the Hokkaido Groove Camp,
Sapporo, Japan (2009, ‘08, ‘07), the Seminario &
Encuentro Internacional de Jazz, Xalapa Mexico (2004 &
2006),
Berklee
Percussion Festivals (2003 – 2009), Taichung Jazz Festivals, Taiwan
(2003 & 2004), The International Association of Jazz Educators Convention
(2002), The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2001), Young
Audiences of New Jersey (1994 – 2006), The Vermont Jazz Camp (1990 – 1997) and
The Litchfield Music School (1998 and 1999).
www.vater.com