Yoron Isreal
Assistant Chair of Percussion Dept: Berklee College of Music / Independent
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 CDs. 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 CDs represent the extensive depth of Yoron Israels 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). Yorons 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 Israels 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, Yorons 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, Yorons 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. Yorons 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 University86 (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).
Yorons varied credits have earned recognition in such publications as 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, Sabian Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads and Vater Drumstick, Mallets, Brushes and Accessories.
DISCOGRAPHY
AS A LEADER
DVD
CREATIVE JAZZ IMPROVISATION
- 2007 - Hal Leonard/Berklee Press
HARLEM NIGHTS 7 - 2008 - Landmark Hall
Yoron Israel "Connection"
TBA - 2009 - Ronja Music
A GIFT FOR YOU (reissue) - 2006 - Ronja Music
LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE - 2000 - Half Note
LISTEN TO JAZZ ON THE HALF NOTE - 1999 - Half Note (Sampler)
A GIFT FOR YOU - 1996 - Freelance
Yoron Israel & Organic
BASIC TRANEING, A Musical Tribute to the Artistry of John Coltrane - 2003 - Ronja Music
CHICAGO - 2000 - Double Time
Frank Walton, Yoron Israel Sextet
LIVE AT THE HOTHOUSE - 2005 - Ronja Music
DO THE BACKSTEP - 2003 - Ronja Music
AS AN ACCOMPANIST
With David Fathead Newman
TBA - 2009 - High Note
DIAMOND HEAD, featuring Cedar Walton & Curtis Fuller - 2008 - High Note
LIFE - 2007 - High Note
CITYSCAPES - 2006 - High Note
With Jay Hoggard
SOULAR POWER - 2008 - JHVM Recording Co.
THE FOUNTAIN - 1992 - Muse
THE LITTLE TIGER - 1991 - Muse
With Massimo Sammi
TBA - 2009 - TBA
With Cynthia Scott
DREAM FOR ONE BRIGHT WORLD - 2009 - Ttoc Records
With Cynthia Felton
AFRO BLUE, THE MUSIC OF OSCAR BROWN JR. - 2009 - Felton Entertainment
With Suzanna Sifter
AWAKENING - 2009 - SS Records
With Fred Woodard
URBAN GARDEN - 2009 - Ujam Records
With the Makanda Project, Music of Ken Makintyre
TBA - 2009 - TBA
With Diane Richardson, A Tribute to Charles Mingus
Portrait - 2008 - Nactivity Productions
With Laszlo Gardony
DIG DEEP - 2008 - Sunnyside
NATURAL INSTINCT - 2006 - Sunnyside
EVER BEFORE, EVER AFTER - 2003 - Sunnyside
With Felice Pomeranz
FELICIDADE - 2008 - GuildedHarps
JAZZY BEGINNINGS (Educational DVD) - 2005 - Guilded Harps
With Ken Berman
In Mind - 2006 - MMG Music
With Grace Kelley
TIMES TOO - 2006 - Pazz Productions
With Lance Bryant
COUNT IT ALL JOY - 2006 - Testimony Records
With Ronald Muldrow
THE BEST OF RONALD MULDROW - 2006 - Muldrow Music
MAPENZI - 2003 - Muldrow Music
FREEDOMS SERENADE - 2000 - Double Time
FACING WES - 1995 - Kokopelli
DIASPORA - 1994 - Enja
Berklee College of Music
SHARING OUR MUSIC - 2005 - BCM
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK, THE MUSIC OF IRVING BERLIN - 2004 - BCM
With Shelly Neill
ENTRÉE BLUE - 2005 - Cobalt Music
ENVISIONING BLUE - 2003 - Cobalt Music
THE BLUES RUN THROUGH IT - 2002 - Cobalt Music
With Daryl Lowery & Instant Groove
INSTANT GROOVE - 2004 - dml
With Jim Odgren
HER EYES - 2003 - Ajay Records
With Gloria Cooper
DAY BY DAY featuring Eddie Henderson - 2001 - GAC Music
With George Cables
ONE FOR MY BABY - 2001 - SteepleChase
With Larry Coryell
INNER URGE - 2001 - High Note
NEW HIGH - 2000 - High Note
MONK, TRANE, MILES & ME - 1999 - High Note
With Bob Ferrel
FACE TO FACE - 2001 - Twinz Records
BON VOYAGE - 1997 - BFM Productions
TIME TUNNEL - 1996 - BFM Productions
With Jon Regen
LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE - 2000 - Half Note
With Mark Elf
TRICKYNOMETRY - 1999 - Jen Bay
With Michael Cochrane
FOOTPRINTS - 1999 - SteepleChase
THE CUTTING EDGE - 1997 - SteepleChase
IMPRESSIONS - 1996 - Landmark
With Ahmad Jamal
JAZZ IT (DVD-Live in Munich93) - 2004 - TDK
A PARIS - 1999 - Birdology/Atlantic
CHICAGO REVISITED - 1993 - Telarc
With Abbey Lincoln
LIVE AT THE BERN JAZZ FESTIVAL - DVD - 1995
MUSIC IS THE MAGIC - 1999 - Polygram/Verve
DEVIL'S GOT YOUR TONGUE - 1993 - Polygram/Verve
With Bennie Wallace
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME - 1999 - Enja
With Johnathan Katz
CONTINUANCE - 1999 - JHK MUSIC
With Calvin Hill
I CANT GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE - 1999 - BIOYA Records
With Joe Lovano
BLUE NOTE COMPILATION - 1998 - Blue Note
BLUE NOTE CHRISTMAS - 1997 - Blue Note
With Barry Ries
SOLITUDE IN A CROWD - 1998 - Double Time
With James Williams ICU
WE'VE GOT WHAT YOU NEED Featuring Dianne Reeves, Etta Jones & Vanessa Rubin - 1998 - Evidence
TRUTH, JUSTICE & THE BLUES - 1996 - Evidence
With Tom Harrell
THE ART OF RHYTHM - 1997 - RCA Victor
With Freddie Cole
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - 1997 - Fantasy
ALWAYS - 1995 - Fantasy
With The Chico Freeman Quartet
FOCUS - 1995 - Contemporary
With Atilla Zoller
WHEN IT'S TIME - 1995 - Enja
With Denise Jannah
I WAS BORN IN LOVE WITH YOU - 1995 - Blue Note/EMI
Compilation
VERVE - THE NEXT GENERATION - 1995 - Polygram/Verve
With Russell Malone
HOLY CATS - 1995 - Venus (Japan)
RUSSELL MALONE - 1992 - Columbia
With Kenny Burrell
LOTUS BLOSSOM - 1995 - Concord
GUIDING SPIRIT - 1989 - Contemporary
With Vanessa Rubin
I'M GLAD THERE IS YOU - 1994 - RCA/Novus
With Tom Pierson
TOM PIERSON III - 1994 - Artuer (Japan)
With Ed Cherry
SECOND LOOK - 1994 - Groovin High
With Rodney Kendrick
DANCE WORLD DANCE - 1994 - Polygram/Verve
With Billy Pierce
RIO - 1994 - Sunnyside
With Charles Fambrough
THE CHARMER - 1993 - CTI
NEW YORK STORIES featuring Joshua Redman, Bobby Watson, Danny Gatton - 1993 - Blue Note
With Art Farmer Quintet w/ Clifford Jordan
LIVE AT SWEET BASIL's v.2 - 1993 - Evidence
LIVE AT SWEET BASIL's v.1 - 1992 - Evidence
With Antonio Hart
A MERRY JAZZMAS - 1992 - RCA/Novus
With Rebecca Coupe Franks
ALL OF A SUDDEN - 1992 - Justice
www.yoronisrael.com
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