White Lightning

I'm not sure. Israel's culture is VERY diversed and consists of several sub-cultures, each in a constant change and so is the relation between the different sub-cultures: There are times when any of these sub-cultures clash, while other times they coexist. But it's not just the Israeli culture that causes such ecclectism and perhaps even dissonance that one can hear in Atzmon's music, I believe it is also a represntation of Atzmon's state of mind as well. Atzmon is an Israeli. He is the product of our culture. That is HIS culture and HIS reference group. He chose to exile from his homeland and advocate against Israel. I believe that feeling of detachment and alienation he feels not living in Israel are well represnted in his work. He also makes an analogy between these feelings and the feelings of the Palestinian refugees, forced to live away from their homes for decades.

Mike, have you heard this CD by Abou-Khalil: Tarab It's another of Abou-Khalil more traditional efforts, with no western instruments. It's a very good one imho.

IMHO, "Exile" was one of the best Jazz releases of 2003. I like this CD a lot. In a twisted kinda way, this is one of the most Israeli Jazz CDs I've ever heard (twisted, becasue of Atzmon's hatred towards Israel and Zionism) An interesting comparison can be made between Atzmon and most of Israeli world music groups: While all of these musicians fuse together east and west msucial genres, Atzmon uses his music to advocate antagonism towards the state of Israel as well as a complete identification with the plight of the Palestinians. His music is his soap box and he uses it explicitely and vocally. The Israeli groups treat music as music per se. The facts that these groups blend in their music both Arabic and Jewish musical elements, the musicians are often both Jews and Arabs, convey th subtext of a coexistence and the merits of a pluralistic society. Oh, another difference is the fact that Atzmon has made a choice to live in exile (in his own words) while those Jewish-Israeli groups continue to live and "preach" their philosophy in Israel

Do you have a favorite or favorites among these?

Done! Good idea, Mike

Bustan Avraham A group of seven Arab and Jewish Israelis that came together in 1991. The group’s goal was to develop instrumental music that will combine and confront the different musical cultures without losing its own cultural identity. The name is meaningful: “Bustan” or “Boostan” means a garden in both Arabic and Hebrew and “Avrahham” – Abraham is the father of Isaac and Ishmael, the father of both Jews and Muslims. In Bustan’s musical repertoire you will find Classical Arab music, Classical European music, Jazz, Persian, Turkish and Indian music, Flamenco and American folk. The musical instruments are also a mix or both Middle Eastern instruments, such as Oud, Qanoun, Darbouka etc, and western musical instruments, such as violin (also an eastern instrument), flutes, Classical and Spanish guitars, Bass, Banjo etc. Bustan worked together for 10 years, they performed successfully throughout Israel and toured the world. During the 10 years of its existence, Bustan has recorded 6 albums. In those albums you can find some interesting musical meetings with Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ross Daly and Zakir Hussein. Here are a few of the nice cover art of Bustan's CDs:

Israeli World music: The 90s and 00s in Israel are teeming with world fusion music; a lot of it is excellent. The three main ingredients in Israel’s world (or ethnic) music are: (a) Classical Arab music; (b) Western Culture with all its genres, especially Jazz; © Traditional Jewish music from both Ashkenazi and Sepharadi tradition (European and Arabian Jews). To these ingredients add some Iranian, Turkish, Greek and even Celtic influences and you get a most interesting music scene. And if I dare say – Israel’s world music is one of the best in the world. Why the sudden influx in the 90s? I can try and give many explanations, but I think the main reason was the first Intifadah and the peace process that followed. While mainstream Israeli look down on Arabs, their culture and their values, and that is portrayed also in mainstream Israeli music, quite a few Israelis began to manifest their coexistence beliefs, began to explore the similarities and differences of the different cultures that exists in Israel in order to achieve “a salad bowl” rather than a “melting pot” cultural effect. Naturally, the entire world fusion scene is happening outside of the artistic hub of Israel – Tel Aviv. The three main areas where such fusion attempts are happening are – the Galilee (North Israel), The Negev and Aravah (South Israel) and Jerusalem – where I live. These three areas have both Arabs and Jews living together. Religion and spirituality are vital parts of the fabric of living in these places. Cross-influences are abounding. Equally natural is the musical mainstream establishment constant disregard of that scene. The musical establishment is located in Tel Aviv – Israel’s metropolis. In a generalized description, Tel Avivians are content in living in a Western-secular culture ghetto. Looking down on any attempts to create substantial music outside Tel Aviv boundaries, let alone fusing religious and Arab culture into the music. They regard any artistic attempt done outside their city as backward. Late in this thread, I’ll discuss a few of the main figures in Israel’s world music scene in the 90s and 00s, which, I believe, are prominent figures in music anyplace

Shaheen is a superb Oud player and a composer A little correction: Shaheen is not Iranian, he's an Arab Israeli, born in the Galilee in 1955 and graduated from the Academy of Music in Jerusalem. Later on he moved to NYC.

My initial reaction was: (I think in Japanese, Y'know... ) All of them?! At once?! What happened? then I've notices that you used the verb "comes" rather than "gone".... fffffffewwwwwwwwww (sigh of relief)

Finally – a World Music corner! The musical genre “World Music” is full of “east-meets-west” attempts. I think that a lot of such attempts were done especially in 60s. I believe that the main problem of such cultural meetings is the fact that in most of such meetings one culture overshadows the other. So let’s discuss some of your favorite World music musicians here. I will do my best to introduce you to Israel's world music - one of the best World music scenes in the world, imho. BTW, As much as I dislike the term “world music”, which suggests the usual Anglo-American self-centered approach to the rest of the world, I’m using it in lack of another, more suitable term.

Hang in there, Alison! We are all thinking of you and wishing you well.

So did you vote Rudd or Slide?

NO!

Two Israelis: Miri Ben-Ari - a very-very good, Jazz violinist. Her current project is Hip Hop, though. Check out her 2 CD on Half Note label Anat Cohen, the sister of Israeli Trumpet Player Avishai Cohen, is an excellent Tenor Sax player. Her debut CD is coming out real soon.

Conrad Herwig hands down!

I think if you ask baritone players they would cite him among some of these cats. No doubt, but TWICE ??

I voted for Brignola, because I thought Pepper will win by a landslide Another vote for the inclusion of Lars Gullin on this poll!

I voted for JJ. Now I want to change it to Teagarden... . Luckily enough, the absence of Rosolino, Vic Dickenson and Dickie Wells made it a bit easier. Although I think that without these guys on the poll, it hasn't got a lot of merit for me.

A tie between Bluiett and Smulyan. I voted for Smulyan, though. BTW, James Carter's bari sould have been on that poll.

Wow! You really dig Joe Temperley...

Dmitry and other Russian speakers, is this the proper term: хлам-почта

I'd say get the Amy mosaic, if you don't mind organ sessions.

I absolutely agree with sal. PC is great and all, but do you dig his arco work? I find it annoying, thus I prefer mr PC as a sideman rather than as a leader.

I voted for Something Else as well. Me too.