Omer Avital & His Band of the East June 19, 2012

Bassist and composer Omer Avital's new band is Omer Avital & His Band of the East. This ambitious new project is essentially the culmination of Avital's many years and experiences as a jazz artist heavily immersed in the playing and composing of Middle Eastern, North African and Jewish music. With more than seven recordings of original music released over the past six years (and at least eight more as a co-leader), Avital is a key component of the Israel-New York City jazz/world music connection. As a leader, and as a member of the NYC-Israeli super group, Third World Love, he is an influential purveyor of this multi-cultural sound. Avital can also be found performing frequently in New York and around the globe with The Omer Avital Group, The Omer Avital Quintet, as one third of the Yes! Trio (with pianist Aaron Goldberg and drummer Ali Jackson), and as an integral member of the Anat Cohen Quartet. If possible, however, Avital might be even more ubiquitous in his native Israel, where he is the co-founder and musical director of the highly unique and successful group, Yemen Blues, as well as the New Jerusalem Orchestra.