Yoron Israel
This Brazilian cultural matrix positions Yoron Israel globally...
Curation
CURATION
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from this page:
by Matrix
The Integrated Global Creative Economy
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Name:
Yoron Israel
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City/Place:
Boston
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Country:
United States
Life & Work
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Bio:
Yoron Israel, a native Chicagoan, is one of the most gifted and sought-after musicians of his generation. Yoron’s exciting and tasteful drumming, along with his compositional and arranging talents are spotlighted on his most recent release “This Moment“ (Ronja Music) as well as the recordings; “Visions” – The Music of Stevie Wonder” (Ronja Music), “Basic Traneing” (Ronja Music), “Chicago” (Double Time), “Live at the Blue Note” (Half Note) and “A Gift for You” (Ronja Music). As co-leader of the Frank Walton/Yoron Israel Sextet, the recordings “Live in Chicago” and “The Back Step” (Han-Wal Productions) are noteworthy. All of these fine works have received enthusiastic praise from journalists, musical peers and fans alike. They represent the extensive depth of Yoron Israel’s musicianship as he continues to evolve as a bandleader. He brings his unique influences and experiences in Jazz, World Styles, Gospel, Contemporary Christian, Funk, R & B and Orchestral idioms full circle with his compositions, arrangements, repertoire and ensemble concept: “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.”
Yoron leads the dynamic trio “New Dreams”, featuring the artistry of pianist/keyboardist Kevin Harris and bassist Will Slater. “New Dreams” presents original compositions, personalized arrangements by influential composers, as well as their own open improvisations. Stay tuned for Yoron’s upcoming recording later this year, which will prominently highlight the special musicality of this trio.
As well as the Boston based quartet “High Standards”, which is featured on both of his most recent projects, “This Moment” and “Visions”. The quartet currently features; Laszlo Gardony – piano/keyboard, Lance Bryant – tenor & soprano saxophones and Henry Lugo – bass, along with special guests Larry Roland – spoken word and Thaddeus Hogarth – harmonica and guitar. This core foursome represents a depth of virtuosity and musical cohesiveness that is infectious. This ensemble is committed to forging ahead “new standards” for the 21st century and beyond, while adding a personalized perspective to familiar performance, compositional and arrangement references, by which future generations of listeners and musicians will be inspired by.
“Basic Traneing”, reached number three on the National Jazz chart in 2004. It features his organ 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 “Organic”, performs original compositions and works associated with the soulful musical legacies of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland and Dr. Lonnie Smith while highlighting the versatility and virtuosity of the trio.
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”, a jazz quintet formed in 1994, featuring the unique and enticing instrumental blend of drums/percussion, vibraphone, guitar, tenor/soprano saxophone, and bass. Concert presentations are inspiring and joyful. The common musical vocabularies shared by the band members formulate a unified ensemble sound that connects the listener to their combined musical experiences that encompass a wide range of musical styles.
“Live in Chicago” and “The Back Step” represents Yoron’s work with his long time friend and mentor, trumpeter Frank Walton. Their sextet also features Allan Chase or Jaleel Shaw – alto saxophone, Lance Bryant –tenor & soprano saxophone, Kevin Harris – piano and Avery Sharpe – bass. This ensemble is firmly rooted in the classic be-bop and hard bop traditions reminiscent of such giants as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Miles Davis, with renewed fire and urgency. Also featured are original works and arrangements by all the members of the sextet.
He co-leads the “Yoron Israel / Bill Pierce – ICU Revisited”, with Miles Griffith – vocals, John Lockwood – bass and Kevin Harris – piano, all except Kevin were original members of the James Williams “Intensive Care Unit” band. This group pays tribute to the magnificent compositional and artistic legacy of the late James Williams while extending the possibilities of “Gospel Jazz”.
Additionally, Mr. Israel leads the “Yoron Israel Septet, A Musical Tribute to David “Fathead” Newman”, features Bill Easley, Marcus Belgrave, Curtis Fuller, Howard Johnson, David Leonhardt and John Menegon, all of which share long associations with David Newman throughout various periods of his career, which inspires a richness in the Septet’s sound. This seven piece, four – horn band is a special project and is reminiscent of Newman’s 2007 “Cityscape” as well as earlier recordings, including those dating back to the Ray Charles era.
For select engagements and recordings, the above listed groups are sometimes augmented with such artists as Hendrik Meurkins, Tom Harrell, Houston Person, Cecil Bridgewater, Steve Turre, Miles Griffith, Antonio Hart, Eric Alexander, Amina Claudine Meyers, Joe Lovano, Thaddeus Hogarth, George Russell, Jr., Steve Hunt, Jeff Lockhart, Stan Strickland, John Lockwood, Ron Mahdi and Ernesto Diaz among others, bringing even more diversity and impact to his performances.
In addition to leading his various projects as a bandleader. 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 200 recordings as an accompanist. Sonny Rollins, Abbey Lincoln, Ahmad Jamal, Horace Silver, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Gloria Lynne, Dakota Staton, Grover Washington, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutchinson, Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Jerome Richardson, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton, Freddie Cole, Pharoah Sanders, George Adams, Charles Mingus Dynasty Big Band, David “Fathead” Newman, Red Holloway, Larry Coryell, Henry Butler, Doctor Lonnie Smith, Benny Golson, Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Curtis Fuller, Bennie Wallace, Vanessa Rubin, Kevin Mahogany, Bill Mays, James Williams, Danilo Perez, Cyrus Chestnut, Otis Clay and Shirley Caesar are among the numerous artists that he has worked with. Yoron currently tours regularly with bassist Avery Sharpe, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard, and saxophonist Marco Pignataro.
Since 2000, he has maintained a busy schedule of performing and recording with many outstanding Boston based artists, such as Laszlo Gardony, The Makanda Project, Donna McElroy, Gabrielle Goodman 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 Mary Wilson, Abraham Laboriel, Eddie Gomez, Frank Morgan, Joanne Brackeen, Eliane Elias, Larry Goldings, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jane Ira Bloom, Greg Osby, Clark Terry and Joey DeFrancesco, among others.
Additionally, Yoron Israel is currently Interim Chair and Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music, Boston Massachusetts and Music Director at Destiny Life Center International with locations in Randolph and Boston MA.
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).
As an educator, he is the author of the acclaimed educational DVD, “Creative Jazz Improvisation for Drum Set”, published by Hal Leonard and Berklee Press. He has also author of the online course “Drum Set Fundamentals”, which is offered through BerkleeMusic.com.
Mr. Israel was formerly on the faculty at Rutgers University, William Paterson University and Mannes College -The New School For Music, he continues to teach privately, conduct clinics, workshops, residencies and music camps throughout the world. These include the Modern Music Camp, Shanghai China (2017), Jiong Summer Drum Camps Beijing & Wuhan China (2017), Berklee at Umbria Clinics (2019, 2018, 2017), Berklee in San Domingo (2017, 2016, 2015), Art Music School (Bologna Italy, 2014), Conservatory of Pescara (2014), Havana (Cuba) Jazz Festival, Hokkaido Groove Camp, Sapporo, Japan (2009, 2008, 2007), the Seminario & Encuentro Internacional de Jazz, Xalapa Mexico (2010, 2006 & 2004), Berklee Percussion Festivals (2003 – 2010), Taichung Jazz Festivals, Taiwan (2003 & 2004), The International Association of Jazz Educators Convention (2002), The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2009, 2001), Young Audiences of New Jersey (1994 – 2006), The Vermont Jazz Camp (1990 – 1997) and The Litchfield Music School (2012, 2013,1998 and 1999).
The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2009, 2001), Young Audiences of New Jersey (1994 – 2006), The Vermont Jazz Camp (1990 – 1997) and The Litchfield Music School (2012, 2013,1998 and 1999).Yoron’s varied credits have earned recognition in such publications as The Patriot Ledger, The Enterprise, Jazz.com, Variety, The Royal Gazette, Bermuda, Jazz Improv Magazine, Rocky Mount (NC) Telegraph, Outstanding Young Men of America, Down Beat, Jazz Times, Modern Drummer, Stick It, Percussive Notes, New York Times, Boston Globe and Boston Herald, among others. He is an endorser of Sonor Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads, Axis Percussion, Vater; Drumsticks, Mallets, Brushes and Hamilton Stands.
Yoron is thankful for the loving support of his wife A. Gail Moore – Israel and daughters: Gavriel, Amaylah, and Jaline. He is proud to say all are extremely talented in their own rights.
Contact Information
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Email:
[email protected]
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Management/Booking:
For Management and Booking information contact: A. Gail Moore, Ronja Music Company, [email protected], 212-629-2058
For Publicity contact Lisa Reedy, Lisa Reedy Promotions, [email protected], www.jazzpromotion.com, 775-826-0755
Clips (more may be added)
There are certain countries, the names of which fire the popular imagination. Brazil is one of them; an amalgam of primitive and sophisticated, jungle and elegance, luscious jazz harmonics — there’s no other place like it in the world. And while Rio de Janeiro, or its fame anyway, tends toward the sophisticated end of the spectrum, Bahia bends toward the atavistic…
It’s like a trick of the mind’s light (I suppose), but standing on beach or escarpment in Salvador and looking out across the Baía de Todos os Santos to the great Recôncavo, and mindful of what happened there (and here; the Bahian Recôncavo was final port-of-call for more enslaved human beings than any other place throughout the entirety of mankind’s existence on this planet, and in the past it extended into what is now urban Salvador), one must be led to the inevitable conclusion that one is in a place unique to history, and to the present:
Brazil absorbed over ten times the number of enslaved Africans taken to the United States of America, and is a repository of African deities (and their music) now largely forgotten in their lands of origin.
Brazil was a refuge (of sorts) for Sephardim fleeing an Inquisition which followed them across the Atlantic (that unofficial symbol of Brazil’s national music — the pandeiro — was almost certainly brought to Brazil by these people).
Across the parched savannas of the interior of Brazil’s culturally fecund nordeste/northeast (where wizard Hermeto Pascoal was born in Lagoa da Canoa — Lagoon of the Canoe — and raised in Olho d’Águia — Eye of the Eagle), much of Brazil’s aboriginal population was absorbed into a caboclo/quilombola culture punctuated by the Star of David.
Three cultures — from three continents — running for their lives, their confluence forming an unprecedented fourth. Pandeirista on the roof.
That's where this Matrix begins:
Wolfram MathWorld
The idea is simple, powerful, and egalitarian: To propagate for them, the Matrix must propagate for all. Most in the world are within six degrees of us. The concept of a "small world" network (see Wolfram above) applies here, placing artists from the Recôncavo and the sertão, from Salvador... from Brooklyn, Berlin and Mombassa... musicians, writers, filmmakers... clicks (recommendations) away from their peers all over the planet.
This Integrated Global Creative Economy (we invented the concept) uncoils from Brazil's sprawling Indigenous, African, Sephardic and then Ashkenazic, Arabic, European, Asian cultural matrix... expanding like the canopy of a rainforest tree rooted in Bahia, branches spreading to embrace the entire world...
Recent Visitors Map
Great culture is great power.
And in a small world great things are possible.
Alicia Svigals
"Thanks, this is a brilliant idea!!"
—Alicia Svigals (NEW YORK CITY): Apotheosis of klezmer violinists
"Dear Sparrow: I am thrilled to receive your email! Thank you for including me in this wonderful matrix."
—Susan Rogers (BOSTON): Director of the Berklee Music Perception and Cognition Laboratory ... Former personal recording engineer for Prince; "Purple Rain", "Sign o' the Times", "Around the World in a Day"
"Dear Sparrow, Many thanks for this – I am touched!"
—Julian Lloyd Webber (LONDON): Premier cellist in UK; brother of Andrew (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Phantom of the Opera...)
"This is super impressive work ! Congratulations ! Thanks for including me :)))"
—Clarice Assad (RIO DE JANEIRO/CHICAGO): Pianist and composer with works performed by Yo Yo Ma and orchestras around the world
"We appreciate you including Kamasi in the matrix, Sparrow."
—Banch Abegaze (LOS ANGELES): manager, Kamasi Washington
"Thanks! It looks great!....I didn't write 'Cantaloupe Island' though...Herbie Hancock did! Great Page though, well done! best, Randy"
"Very nice! Thank you for this. Warmest regards and wishing much success for the project! Matt"
—Son of Jimmy Garrison (bass for John Coltrane, Bill Evans...); plays with Herbie Hancock and other greats...
I opened the shop in Salvador, Bahia in 2005 in order to create an outlet to the wider world for magnificent Brazilian musicians.
David Dye & Kim Junod for NPR found us (above), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (he's a huge jazz fan), David Byrne, Oscar Castro-Neves... Spike Lee walked past the place while I was sitting on the stoop across the street drinking beer and listening to samba from the speaker in the window...
But we weren't exactly easy for the world-at-large to get to. So in order to extend the place's ethos I transformed the site associated with it into a network wherein Brazilian musicians I knew would recommend other Brazilian musicians, who would recommend others...
And as I anticipated, the chalky hand of God-as-mathematician intervened: In human society — per the small-world phenomenon — most of the billions of us on earth are within some 6 or fewer degrees of each other. Likewise, within a network of interlinked artists as I've described above, most of these artists will in the same manner be at most a handful of steps away from each other.
So then, all that's necessary to put the Brazilians within possible purview of the wide wide world is to include them among a wide wide range of artists around that world.
If, for example, Quincy Jones is inside the matrix, then anybody on his page — whether they be accessing from a campus in L.A., a pub in Dublin, a shebeen in Cape Town, a tent in Mongolia — will be close, transitable steps away from Raymundo Sodré, even if they know nothing of Brazil and are unaware that Sodré sings/dances upon this planet. Sodré, having been knocked from the perch of fame and ground into anonymity by Brazil's dictatorship, has now the alternative of access to the world-at-large via recourse to the vast potential of network theory.
...to the degree that other artists et al — writers, researchers, filmmakers, painters, choreographers...everywhere — do also. Artificial intelligence not required. Real intelligence, yes.
Years ago in NYC (I've lived here in Brazil for 32 years now) I "rescued" unpaid royalties (performance & mechanical) for artists/composers including Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Mongo Santamaria, Jim Hall, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd (for his rights in Bob Marley compositions; Clement was Bob's first producer), Led Zeppelin, Ray Barretto, Philip Glass and many others. Aretha called me out of the blue vis-à-vis money owed by Atlantic Records. Allen Klein (managed The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles) called about money due the estate of Sam Cooke. Jerry Ragovoy (Time Is On My Side, Piece of My Heart) called just to see if he had any unpaid money floating around out there (the royalty world was a shark-filled jungle, to mangle metaphors, and I doubt it's changed).
But the pertinent client (and friend) in the present context is Earl "Speedo" Carroll, of The Cadillacs. Earl went from doo-wopping on Harlem streetcorners to chart-topping success to working as a custodian at PS 87 elementary school on the west side of Manhattan. Through all of this he never lost what made him great.
Greatness and fame are too often conflated. The former should be accessible independently of the latter.
Yeah this is Bob's first record contract, made with Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd of Studio One and co-signed by his aunt because he was under 21. I took it to Black Rock to argue with CBS' lawyers about the royalties they didn't want to pay (they paid).
Matrix founding creators are behind "one of 10 of the best (radios) around the world", per The Guardian.
Across the creative universe... For another list, reload page.
This list is random, and incomplete. Reload the page for another list.
For a complete list of everybody inside, tap TOTAL below:
TOTAL
Ex Terra Brasilis
Susan Rogers
Julian Lloyd Webber
Clarice Assad
Kamasi Washington
Randy Brecker
Matt Garrison
RÁDIO MATRIX