Home » Jazz Musicians » Ofir Shwartz
Ofir Shwartz
Through the years Ofir has participated in a variety of musical projects, giving him the opportunity to experiment in different styles and approaches. He has performed at many prestigious Jazz Festivals and venues around the world both as leader and sideman, continuously composing and creating fascinating new music. Shwartz holds great importance in conserving creativity and unique sound while exploring the endless bounds of harmony and melody.
Ofir Shwartz is a several times winner of the Ministry of Culture prize for creativity in music, the Haifa Arts Foundation prize for Jazz Musician and is regularly supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of the great Israeli touring musicians.
In 2010 Ofir Shwartz has recorded Earlier in time, his debut album as a band leader. The album received great reviews from both the crowd and the media. In 2013 Ofir Shwartz has recorded Shades of Fish, his second album as a band leader. The album continually receives amazing reviews worldwide.
Discography:
2013 - Shades of Fish / Ofir Shwartz Trio / Hevhetia Records
2010 - Earlier in Time / Ofir Shwartz Trio / sHmoo Records
2006 - Live at Klaipeda International Jazz Festival (DVD) / Residents of the Future
2004 - Futuristic worlds under construction / Residents of the Future
Awards
Winner of the 2012 and 2013 Ministry of Culture prizes for Creativity in Music
Winner of the 2012 Haifa Arts Foundation prize for Jazz Musician
Tags
Ofir Shwartz Trio: Shades of Fish
by Eyal Hareuveni
On his sophomore release, Israeli pianist Ofir Shwartz leads a new trio comprised with Israeli double bassist Gal Shaya and Slovenian drummer Gasper Bertoncelj. This release features Shwartz's progression as a composer and bandleader since his debut release, Earlier in time (sHmoo Records, 2010). Shwartz's vocabulary draws inspiration from modern jazz-- mainly in its myriad lyrical incarnations, pop songs, and progressive and heavy rock. His gift to sketch highly melodic themes is apparent throughout this recording. His trio ...
read more"Stunning solos, flowing arrangements - fabulous disc"
"Shades Of Fish is an album that brims with details; it is played with incredible nuances during the opening piece, the amazing bass syncopations in When It Ends, or the painted sides of the rare Scandinavian-sounding Last Journey“
MusikReview.DE Germany, 2013
“Great leap forward of the Israeli talent that goes on”
“We are happy to present Ofir Shwartz, the new piano prodigy to rewrite the history of jazz in a flexible and ever-changing style!”
“A talented musician that can play aggressive in a way that I cannot imagine from his calm and intellectual looks
Primary Instrument
Piano
Clinic/Workshop Information
Hodling clinics in festivals, universities and schools.
Clinic title: Listening While Playing.
Abstract:
A clinic which discusses the importance of listening to the other musicians while playing your own instrument, in order to create complete musical picture. Having the understanding that the complete picture is more important than the individual instrument will allow musicians to comp as well as solo better.
This clinic involved played examples and conversation with the crowd, as well as possible participation of musicians from the crowd.