Asef Releases 'Confluence,' Blending Middle Eastern Musical Traditions With Contemporary Jazz
Courtesy Joshua Berson
What excites me about Asef is the freedom to move between musical worlds, from Middle Eastern modes to bebop, without knowing exactly where the improvisation will lead.
—Saul Berson, saxophonist and Asef bandleader.
Vancouver-based jazz quartet Asef has released its debut album, Confluence, an exploration of musical traditions, improvisation and the creative possibilities that emerge when different cultural influences meet.
Led by saxophonist and composer Saul Berson, Asef brings together guitarist Itamar Erez, acoustic bassist Sam Shoichet and drummer/percussionist Liam MacDonald. The quartet draws inspiration from Middle Eastern musical modes, jazz improvisation, Balkan rhythms, klezmer, flamenco and bebop, creating music that moves fluidly between lyrical melodies, rhythmic intensity and spontaneous interplay.
The group's name carries layered meaning: in Arabic and Persian cultures, Asef is a name with spiritual significance, while in Hebrew it means “to gather" or “to harvest" — a fitting symbol for the ensemble's spirit of bringing different musical traditions together.
For Berson, whose musical journey spans more than four decades, these influences are deeply personal. His mother's roots in Calcutta introduced him to the sounds of Indian music, while living in Israel during the early 1980s broadened his connection to Middle Eastern musical traditions Travels through Morocco also left a lasting impression, inspiring the compositions “Fi'yuoon Fes" and “Settat," both conceived during a train journey between Marrakesh and Casablanca.
Recorded at Monarch Studios in Vancouver, Confluence features eight tracks: five original compositions and three interpretations of existing works. The album moves between evocative modal passages, intricate rhythmic conversations and open-ended improvisation, allowing each member of the quartet to contribute a distinctive voice.
The album was released in October 2026, with Asef celebrating its arrival in a performance at Vancouver's Alliance Française Theatre as part of VanJazz '26.
At its heart, Confluence is about connection without uniformity: different musical backgrounds coming together while retaining their individual character.
Led by saxophonist and composer Saul Berson, Asef brings together guitarist Itamar Erez, acoustic bassist Sam Shoichet and drummer/percussionist Liam MacDonald. The quartet draws inspiration from Middle Eastern musical modes, jazz improvisation, Balkan rhythms, klezmer, flamenco and bebop, creating music that moves fluidly between lyrical melodies, rhythmic intensity and spontaneous interplay.
The group's name carries layered meaning: in Arabic and Persian cultures, Asef is a name with spiritual significance, while in Hebrew it means “to gather" or “to harvest" — a fitting symbol for the ensemble's spirit of bringing different musical traditions together.
For Berson, whose musical journey spans more than four decades, these influences are deeply personal. His mother's roots in Calcutta introduced him to the sounds of Indian music, while living in Israel during the early 1980s broadened his connection to Middle Eastern musical traditions Travels through Morocco also left a lasting impression, inspiring the compositions “Fi'yuoon Fes" and “Settat," both conceived during a train journey between Marrakesh and Casablanca.
Recorded at Monarch Studios in Vancouver, Confluence features eight tracks: five original compositions and three interpretations of existing works. The album moves between evocative modal passages, intricate rhythmic conversations and open-ended improvisation, allowing each member of the quartet to contribute a distinctive voice.
The album was released in October 2026, with Asef celebrating its arrival in a performance at Vancouver's Alliance Française Theatre as part of VanJazz '26.
At its heart, Confluence is about connection without uniformity: different musical backgrounds coming together while retaining their individual character.
Listen to Confluence
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple MusicPress inquiries
[email protected]Track Listing
Nest Quest; Fi’yuoon Fes; Settat; Big Fish; Almighty Crema; Zeytuni Zar; Shanti; Ziriab
Personnel
Asef
band / ensemble / orchestra
Saul Berson
saxophone
Itamar Erez
guitarSam Shoichet
bassLiam MacDonald
percussionAdditional Instrumentation
Saul Berson: alto and soprano saxophones; Liam MacDonald: percussion, drums
Album information
Title: Confluence | Year Released: 2026 | Record Label: Moco Loco Productions
