Yoron Israel’s is one of the most sought out musicians of his generation. His latest recording “New Dreams” featuring his group “Trio Plus” continues to receive rave reviews. He has produced other fine works such as “This Moment,” “Visions – The Music of Stevie Wonder,” “Basic Training – Celebrating John Coltrane,” and “A Gift For You,” among others. All feature Yoron’s prolific drumming style, along with his refined compositions, and arrangements. As Jack Dejohnette quotes,“Yoron Israel is a drummer who has excellent 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.”
In addition to leading such dynamics bands as “Trio Plus,” High Standards,” “Organic,” and “Connection,” Yoron Israel has been featured on over 300 recordings as an accompanist, and has toured nationally and internationally with some of the most prolific artists in history, including Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver, Abbey Lincoln, Tony Bennett, Ahmad Jamal, Art Farmer, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Larry Coryell, Jimmy Heath, Pharaoh Sanders, David “Fathead” Newman, Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Roy Hargrove, James Williams among countless others representing a wide variety of musical genres. He has also worked in theatre, television, in addition to performing in orchestral, chamber and big band settings.
His Boston-based quartet “High Standards”, is featured on both of Yoron’s most recent projects, “This Moment” and “Visions”. The quartet currently features; Laszlo Gardony – piano/keyboard, Lance Bryant – tenor & soprano saxophones, and Henry Lugo – bass, along with special guests Larry Roland – spoken word and Thaddeus Hogarth – harmonica and guitar. This core foursome represents a depth of virtuosity and musical cohesiveness that is infectious. This ensemble is committed to forging ahead “new standards” for the 21st century and beyond, while adding a personalized perspective to familiar performance, compositional, and arrangement references, by which future generations of listeners and musicians will be inspired by.
“Basic Traneing”, reached number three on the National Jazz chart in 2004. It features his organ trio “Organic” with organist Kyle Koehler, guitarist Ed Cherry, along with special guests Jay Hoggard (vibraphone/ marimba) and Billy Pierce (tenor and soprano saxophone). Yoron’s “Organic”, performs original compositions and works associated with the soulful musical legacies of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland and Dr. Lonnie Smith while highlighting the versatility and virtuosity of the trio.
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.
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“Live from the Blue Note” is Yoron Israel’s second recording, featuring his quintet “Connection”, with vibraphonist Bryan Carrott, guitarist Ed Cherry, and bassist Sean Conly, alongside special guests, trombonist Steve Turre and saxophonist Eric Alexander.
“A Gift for You”, Yoron’s 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”, a jazz quintet formed in 1994, featuring the unique and enticing instrumental blend of drums/percussion, vibraphone, guitar, tenor/soprano saxophone, and bass. Concert presentations are inspiring and joyful. The common musical vocabularies shared by the band members formulate a unified ensemble sound that connects the listener to their combined musical experiences that encompass a wide range of musical styles.
“Live in Chicago” and “The Back Step” represent Yoron’s work with his long-time friend and mentor, trumpeter Frank Walton. Their sextet also features Allan Chase or Jaleel Shaw – alto saxophone, Lance Bryant –tenor & soprano saxophone, Kevin Harris – piano, and Avery Sharpe – bass. This ensemble is firmly rooted in the classic be-bop and hard bop traditions reminiscent of such giants as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Miles Davis, with renewed fire and urgency. Also featured are original works and arrangements by all the members of the sextet.
He co-leads the “Yoron Israel / Bill Pierce – ICU Revisited”, with Miles Griffith – vocals, John Lockwood – bass and Kevin Harris – piano, all except Kevin were original members of the James Williams “Intensive Care Unit” band. This group pays tribute to the magnificent compositional and artistic legacy of the late James Williams while extending the possibilities of “Gospel Jazz”.
Also, Mr. Israel leads the “Yoron Israel Septet, A Musical Tribute to David “Fathead” Newman”, features Bill Easley, Marcus Belgrave, Curtis Fuller, Howard Johnson, David Leonhardt, and John Menegon, all of which share long associations with David Newman throughout various periods of his career, which inspires a richness in the Septet’s sound. This seven-piece, the four-horn band is a special project and is reminiscent of Newman’s 2007 “Cityscape” as well as earlier recordings, including those dating back to the Ray Charles era.
For select engagements and recordings, the above-listed groups are sometimes augmented with such artists as Hendrik Meurkins, Tom Harrell, Houston Person, Cecil Bridgewater, Steve Turre, Miles Griffith, Antonio Hart, Eric Alexander, Amina Claudine Meyers, Joe Lovano, Thaddeus Hogarth, George Russell, Jr., Steve Hunt, Jeff Lockhart, Stan Strickland, John Lockwood, Ron Mahdi and Ernesto Diaz among others, bringing even more diversity and impact to his performances.
In addition to leading his various projects as a bandleader. Yoron’s 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 200 recordings as an accompanist. Sonny Rollins, Abbey Lincoln, Ahmad Jamal, Horace Silver, Tony Bennett, Joe Williams, Gloria Lynne, Dakota Staton, Grover Washington, Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutchinson, Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Jerome Richardson, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton, Freddie Cole, Pharoah Sanders, George Adams, Charles Mingus Dynasty Big Band, David “Fathead” Newman, Red Holloway, Larry Coryell, Henry Butler, Doctor Lonnie Smith, Benny Golson, Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Curtis Fuller, Bennie Wallace, Vanessa Rubin, Kevin Mahogany, Bill Mays, James Williams, Danilo Perez, Cyrus Chestnut, Otis Clay, and Shirley Caesar are among the numerous artists that he has worked with. Yoron currently tours regularly with vibraphonist Jay Hoggard, bassist John Menegon, and saxophonist Chico Freeman.
Since 2000, he has maintained a busy schedule of performing and recording with many outstanding Boston-based artists, such as Laszlo Gardony, The Makanda Project, Gabrielle Goodman 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 Abraham Laboriel, Eddie Gomez, Frank Morgan, Joanne Brackeen, Eliane Elias, Larry Goldings, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jane Ira Bloom, Greg Osby, and Joey DeFrancesco, among others.
Additionally, Yoron Israel currently serves as Chair and Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music, Boston MA, and Pastor of Music and Art at Destiny Life Center International in Brockton MA.
Yoron is currently pursuing a doctorate degree from Liberty University. He received his Master of Music degree from Rutgers University ‘97 (New Brunswick, NJ) and a Bachelor of Music degree from Roosevelt University’86 (Chicago IL).
As an educator, he is the author of the acclaimed educational DVD, “Creative Jazz Improvisation for Drum Set”, published by Hal Leonard and Berklee Press. He has authored the online course “Drum Set Fundamentals”, which is offered through https://online.Berklee.edu
Mr. Israel was formerly on the faculty at Rutgers University, William Paterson University, and Mannes College -The New School For Music, he continues to teach privately, conduct clinics, workshops, residencies, and music camps throughout the world. These include the Gordon College (2020, 2018), Modern Music Camp, Shanghai China (2017), Jiong Summer Drum Camps Beijing & Wuhan China (2017), Berklee at Umbria Clinics (2019, 2018, 2017), Berklee in San Domingo (2017, 2016, 2015), Art Music School (Bologna Italy, 2014), Conservatory of Pescara (2014), Havana (Cuba) Jazz Festival, Hokkaido Groove Camp, Sapporo, Japan (2009, 2008, 2007), the Seminario & Encuentro Internacional de Jazz, Xalapa Mexico (2010, 2006 & 2004), Berklee Percussion Festivals (2003 – 2010), Taichung Jazz Festivals, Taiwan (2003 & 2004), The International Association of Jazz Educators Convention (2002), The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2009, 2001), Young Audiences of New Jersey (1994 – 2006), The Vermont Jazz Camp (1990 – 1997) and The Litchfield Music School (2012, 2013,1998 and 1999), The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2009, 2001), Young Audiences of New Jersey (1994 – 2006), The Vermont Jazz Camp (1990 – 1997), and The Litchfield Music School (2012, 2013,1998 and 1999).
Yoron’s varied credits have earned recognition in such publications as The Patriot Ledger, The Enterprise, Jazz.com, Variety, The Royal Gazette, Bermuda, Jazz Improv Magazine, Rocky Mount (NC) Telegraph, Outstanding Young Men of America, DownBeat, Jazz Times, Modern Drummer, Stick It, Percussive Notes, New York Times, Boston Globe and Boston Herald, among others.
As an educator, Mr. Israel serves as Chair and Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music. As such, he will be reaching out to area universities and high schools to conduct promotional clinics, workshops, and master classes, in conjunction with performing at the Bop Stop.
Yoron Israel is a proud endorser of Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads, Sonor Drums, Gator Cases, Prologix Practice Pads, Vic Firth Sticks, Mallets, and Brushes.
Yoron is thankful for the loving support of his wife A. Gail Moore-Israel and daughters: Gavriel, Amaylah, and Jaline. He is proud to say all are extremely talented in their own rights.
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