Roy Assaf

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Born: April 10, 1982 Primary Instrument: Piano

Roy Assaf is a native of Tel Aviv who began his formal classical training at the Tel Aviv Conservatory at the age of 8. He moved to New York in 2006 to study at The Manhattan School of Music.

A pianist with dazzling technique and a composer who expertly weaves jazz harmonies, Roy was named the ASCAP Foundation’s Young Jazz Composer in 2008. He made his New York Blue Note debut with the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band in 2007, followed by a European tour consisting of 13 cities.

Roy’s other awards include the 31st Downbeat Student Award for Outstanding Performance, 2nd place in the Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Competition, Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute Award, America-Israel Cultural Foundation Prize for Young Israeli Musicians and the 30th Downbeat Student Award for Best Jazz Arrangement.

Over the last few years, Roy has performed with Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Lewis Nash, Dr. Billy Taylor, Barry Harris, George Garzone, T.S. Monk, Steve Davis, John Lee, Dave Samuels, Claudio Roditi, Victor Mendoza and Giovanni Hidalgo, in addition to such jazz legends as Jimmy Heath, James Moody and Slide Hampton.

Roy is currently also part of the John Lee Quartet, Charlie Christenson Quartet, Alex Terrier Quartet, Chris Dempsey Quartet and Roy Assaf & Eddy Khaimovich Project.

In 2003, after being awarded several scholarships to the Berklee College of Music, Roy moved from Israel to Boston to pursue his undergraduate studies there. While at Berklee, he studied with such distinguished musicians and teachers as Joanne Brackeen, Danilo Perez, Kenny Werner, Michel Camilo, Richie Beirach and Sonny Bravo. Roy graduated from Berklee in 2005 and was awarded a BA cum laude.

In May of 2005, Roy was invited to perform at the Promising Artist of the 21st Century Performance Series in Costa Rica. Shortly thereafter, he performed with his jazz quartet at the Phoenix Jazz Festival in Kobe, Japan.

In May 2008, Roy graduated from a two-year program at the Manhattan School of Music, earning a Master's degree in Jazz Performance. He was fortunate to be mentored by pianists Kenny Barron, Jason Moran and Phil Markowitz, and great saxophonist Dave Liebman.

Roy was born in Israel in 1982, and started his formal classical training at the Tel Aviv Conservatory. In 1999, he graduated from the three-year jazz program of Thelma Yellin �” Israel’s premier high school of the arts �” and won the International Red Sea Jazz Festival competition for young musicians. The acclaimed jazz musician Opher Brayer served as his mentor during that time.

Awards:

1.ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award (2008) 2. 31st Downbeat Student Music Award - Outstanding Performance (2008) 3. 30th Downbeat Student Music Award - Best Arrangement (2007) 4. Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Competiion - 2nd Place (2006) 5. Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute Award (2004-2006) 6. America-Israel Cultural Foundation Prize for Young Musicians (2000-2004)

Last Updated: October 13, 2012

“Roy Assaf marries tradition, both American and Israeli, into a new form of jazz. This type of culturally relevant music is vital for the future of jazz. I am certain that his musical contribution will earn many followers.” (Jason Moran, March 2008)

“Roy Assaf is an amazing pianist �” you will defiantly be learning a lot of good things about him.” (Kenny Barron, April 2007)

“Roy Assaf is a strong young pianist with a good sound and feeling. He was a pleasure to work with and brought some good energy to my ensemble.” (Joe Lovano, May 2005)

“I was impressed with his knowledge of the Jazz idiom, his harmonic concept and the flow of ideas during his solo improvisation. I believe he has a great talent and a potential to become one of the “players” in the Jazz world.” (Michel Camilo, Dec. 2003)

“I had the privilege to meet a very promising and diligent musician. It is quite plain to see and I can foresee that through its earnest efforts at consistency and hard work, added to his natural talent he will without a doubt become one of the major contributions to our world of music.” (Kenny Werner, January 2002)

1. Georgi Sareski - Elfandia ( Chicken Madness Records 2005) 2. Dev Avidon - She Makes Noise (Zevisgirl Producions 2007) 3. Roy Assaf & Eddy Khaimovich - Andarta:Featuring Roy Hargrove (Origin Records 2008) 4. Chris Dempsey - Onward (Self Released 2008) 5. John Lee (TBA 2009)

Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.

Primary Instrument:
Piano

Location:
New York, NY

Willing to teach:
Beginners

Credentials/Background:
Roy Assaf has been teaching piano and instructing jazz ensembles worldwide, while focusing on the following areas: - Basic theory - Various piano techniques - Classical repertoire - Jazz repertoire - Improvisation - Ear training - Jazz harmony - Accompanying singers and horns - Group communication for jazz groups * 2002/03: Band Instructor at the jazz department of The Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts (Israel) * April 2007: Introduction to Jazz Workshops at PS 36A School (New York City) * Roy Assaf is currently available for private lessons in the New York City metropolitan area. For more information, please contact teaching@royassaf.com.

Terence Blanchard
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