Amit Friedman and Strings – Special Guest: Joca Perpignan

Amit Friedman and Strings – Special Guest: Joca Perpignan

Israeli Jazz That Touches the Soul

In a special production for the festival, saxophonist and composer Amit Friedman, winner of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Composers, presents a new ensemble: a jazz quartet alongside ten string players, featuring Brazilian percussionist, singer, and songwriter Joca Perpignan. Original compositions by both artists, alongside works written collaboratively, bring together the language of jazz, the rich sound of the strings, and Brazilian rhythms.

Amit Friedman is one of the leading voices in Israeli jazz. His music remains faithful to the jazz tradition while weaving in sounds from the Middle East and world music. His debut album, Sunrise, recorded with a sextet and string quartet, was the best-selling jazz album in Israel in the year of its release. Since then, he has released albums on international labels such as Origin Records and Dot Time and performed with his ensemble in Israel and Europe. Friedman initiated and founded the festival and has served as its musical director for the second consecutive year. Alongside his extensive career as a saxophonist, he is also highly active in promoting jazz among young people.

Joca Perpignan, a native of Rio de Janeiro, arrived in Tel Aviv at the age of 15 and built a career in both countries. He is a member of Idan Raichel’s project and has played with Matti Caspi, Yoni Rechter, and Arik Einstein, as well as internationally with Paquito D’Rivera, João Donato, and Mayra Andrade.

Amit Friedman – saxophone, compositions, and arrangements · Katia Tzubol – piano · Guy Levy – double bass · Yonatan Rosen – drums

Avner Kelmer, Tali Goldberg, Chen Shanhar – violins · Daniel Tanhalson, Yael Fetish – violas · Hila Epstein, Yael Shizaf – cellos

Special Guest: Joca Perpignan – percussion and vocals