Amos Hoffman
Tel Aviv based guitarist and oudist Amos Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians like Dennis Charles, Evelyn Blakey and Juma Santos and up and coming talents like Jason Lindler, Omer Avital, Sam Newsome, Jay Collins, bassist Avishai Cohen, Jorge Rossi and Duane Eubanks. He also began a more formal study of Middle Eastern music with Lebanese oud and ney player, Bassam Saba.
In 1998, he recorded his first solo album The Dreamer for the Spanish Label, Fresh Sound/New Talent. He has also contributed to numerous other projects, including Ben Wolfe's 13 Sketches, 1997, Jay Collins' Cross Culture,1999, Sam Newsome 1999 and bassist Avishai Cohen's Aurora 2009, Continuo, 2006, Colors 2000 Devotion, 1999 and Adama, 1998.
After returning home to Israel at the end of 1999, he began to compose the music that would eventually become the tracks on Na'ama, released in 2006 on Magda records. On Na’ama, Hoffman plays homage to the traditions of classical Arabic music - the taqasim (improvisation) and the maqam (scales). All 12 tracks are original compositions, inspired by the great Arab composers of the 20th Century.
Further pursuing his passion for combining jazz with Middle Eastern music, his newest work is Evolution (RazDaz), a ten track exploration of melodies and rhythms that incorporates compositional and improvisational elements common to both musical genres. His long-time friend and musical associate Avishai Cohen, who plays contrabass, piano and contributes vocals, joins Hoffman on Evolution. Rounding out the CD’s line up are two of Israel’s most prominent musicians - ethnic percussionist Ilan Katchka and flute Ilan Salem.
Hoffman’s most recent release, BACK TO THE CITY (2015 follows in the tradition of the great guitarists of the old school – Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell – while bringing a fresh interpretation to the language of jazz guitar. BACK TO THE CITY features both original compositions and standards, with stellar lineup of old friends completing the : bassist Omer Avital, drummer Vince Ector, saxophonist Asaf Yuria, trumpeter Duane Eubanks and special guest Itai Kriss on flute. Now based in Columbia, S.C., Hoffman looks forward to sharing his unique musical worldview with American audiences.
Awards
2014 Recipient of The Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in the field of Jazz.
Gear
Gibson 175 oud - 12 strings, designed and built by Amos Hoffman
Tags
Album Review
- Evolution by Eyal Hareuveni
- Evolution by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
- Carving by Eyal Hareuveni
- Back To The City by Dan Bilawsky
May 05, 2010
Razdaz Recordz Releases Amos Hoffman's Carving
February 29, 2008
Razdaz Recordz Will Release "Evolution" from Amos Hoffman on March 25
Chris Spector - midwestrecord.com
Great program by Amos Hoffman and his band! How refreshing to hear someone who has captured the essence and mastery of the great ones. Masterful composing, arranging, and playing is not an easy task to pull off in one package, but it is so well executed here. Whether bop, blues, or ballads, Amos has captured in this recording what makes for great listening, for a long time to come! -Wycliffe Gordon
Photos
Concert Schedule
Album Discography
Little Pigs
From: Back To The CityBy Amos Hoffman