אל על | אטמוספירה

Roni Iwryn

Anat Fort

until its closure in 1979. In the 70s, many young Israelis went to study in America, at the great East Coast schools (Berklee in Boston, the New School and Julliard in New York), becoming qualified musicians and teachers upon their return. In 1985, a group of them created the Rimon School, a school that is still today considered a program of musical excellence. The IDF also played a part in the formation of young musicians, as detailed in the book in the chapter devoted to the educational system. The 80s saw the creation of festivals, particularly the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat (1987). Launched on the initiative of Dan Gottfried, it is the largest in the country and attracts vast crowds and many international artists, with two annual editions.

The 90s gave rise to the Big Bang of Israeli jazz. It began with four young musicians who decided to try their luck in New York. In 1992, Avishai Cohen and Omer Avital (both bassists), Avi Lebovich (a trombonist) and Amos Hoffman (a guitarist/oudist) didn’t yet know they were the pioneers of a very large-scale movement. At the cost of significant efforts to integrate the New York jazz system and achieve recognition, they became, in Israel, role models for the younger generations - and 35 years later, the trend has not slowed down, with nearly 200 Israeli jazz artists now living in New York. This story is one of a great human adventure, one that has spread across the world, opening new musical perspectives, bridging together ancestral cultures, both

religious and secular, and mixing it all with jazz, a genre invented by freed black people, that Israeli musicians used to build bridges between their own cultural heritage with that of neighboring countries. This book tells a story of passion, transmission, solidarity, and perseverance, through beautiful photographs that lay bare the breath, the tension, the strength, and fragility of these incredible artists. A publication of unique content and of the highest quality. israelijazz.com/en/book

Raphaël Perez: “The music they produce is a blend of pure American jazz with Middle Eastern sounds, bridging the gap between modern music and traditional tunes”

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ATMOSPHERE MARCH 2025