Jazz Articles

Drori Mondlak and Karolina Strassmayer: Freescapes

by Hrayr Attarian
April 26, 2022

During twenty plus years of collaboration, drummer Drori Mondlak and saxophonist / flutist Karolina Strassmayer have perfected their creative chemistry. Their highly individual styles are, nevertheless, seamlessly complementary resulting in a unique sound that marks their superb releases. Their eighth, the haunting Freescapes, is an absorbing work with an undercurrent of subtle mysticism that showcases this synergy and splendid musicianship on nine interlinked tracks. Opening with “Sing To Me Of..,," a duet between the co-leaders, and closing with ...

Karolina Strassmayer and Drori Mondlak: Small Moments

by Hrayr Attarian
August 18, 2013

Altoist Karolina Strassmayer and drummer Drori Mondlak's second release as co-leaders Small Moments is a collection of lean and gripping original compositions that the superlative quartet embellishes with their sophisticated and inventive spontaneity.One of the unifying themes of this engaging album is a melodic and contemplative narrative sense. The intimately nocturnesque “Seven Minutes in Heaven" conjures up the urban romanticism of city nightlife. Strassmayer's ardently undulating saxophone shimmers with muted colors in the intriguingly dark ambience. The rhythm ...

Drori Mondlak: Point In Time

by Elliott Simon
August 4, 2009

Good drummers always seem to make all the right connections and Point In Time indicates that leader Drori Mondlak is, indeed, very well connected. He has brought together three marvelous instrumentalists and leaders in their own right--altoist/flutist Karolina Strassmayer, guitarist Cary DeNigris and bassist Steve LaSpina--for an intriguing quartet that strikes a perfect balance between the power in Strassmayer's horn and the elegance of DeNigris' chords, buoyed by the relaxed feel effected by his and LaSpina's obvious affinity.

Drori Mondlak: Point In Time

by Lyn Horton
February 21, 2009

In musical groups, sometimes, the intention of the music is the seamless blending of the sounds of each instrument. In other instances, each band member's contribution both stands out and blends in simultaneously. With Point In Time, drummer Drori Mondlak has assembled a quartet and music, which gives the latter circumstance a chance to succeed.

Mondlak took great care in choosing instruments that have distinct tones, and exude equally bright and muted colors. As drummer, Mondlak becomes the constant that ...