Primary Instrument: Accordion
Accordionist, pianist and composer Uri Sharlin is a bonafide innovator who synthesizes melodies from around the Mediterranean Sea with world rhythms, forming a music that breathes joyfulness and melancholy with expressive clarity. Upon arriving in New York City, Uri started studying with jazz legends Jackie Byard and Arthuro O’Farrrell, while at the same time getting exposed to music from all over Latin America. He has traveled numerous times to Brazil to soak in the country’s rich musical culture and language. In 2003, Sharlin started his own group, the Cardamon Quartet, where he blends influences from the Mediterranean with those of the Americas, including avant-garde jazz, classical, rumba, and Brazilian samba. The group plays Sharlin’s compositions along with rearranged traditional folk songs from his native region.
Each member of the Cardamon Quartet brings his or her unique personality and expressive qualities to the group’s novel musical sound. Classically trained cellist/bassist Jennifer Vincent is bassist for the Ellington Orchestra who integrates jazz into her cello playing. Reeds player Harel Shachal is an expert in Arabic music and teaches the only class in New York City on the art of Taqsim (Mid-Eastern improvisation style) at the New School. Drummer/percussionist Dan Aran is one of the most sophisticated and sensitive jazz drummers in New York. Besides performing regularly with such jazz legends as Ron Affif and Junior Mance, Dan also plays with various ethnic ensembles in New York and Israel.
