Primary Instrument: Saxophone
Gilad Atzmon was born in Israel in 1963 and had his musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem (Composition and Jazz) A multi-instrumentalist he plays Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxes, Clarinet, Sol, Zurna and Flutes.
Until 1994 he was a producer-arranger for various Israeli Dance & Rock Projects, performing in Europe and the USA playing ethnic Jewish soul music. Highly involved in the Israeli musical scene he recorded for 'Ofra Haza' , Yeuda Poliker and many others. He also toured with Memphis Slim and supporting many international jazz names such as Jack De Johnette, Michel Petrucciani, Richie Byrach and many others.
Coming to the UK in 1994, Atzmon recovered an interest in playing the music of the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe that had been in the back of his mind for years. He founded the Orient House Ensemble in London and started re-defining his own roots in the light of political reality. Since then the Orient House Ensemble has toured all over the world.
Also a prolific and often controversial writer, Atzmon's essays are widely published his novel 'Guide to the perplexed' and 'My One And Only Love' have been translated into 24 languages all together.
Over the years Gilad Atzmon's music has moved more and more towards a cultural hybrid. As a bandleader and reed player he has been amazing his listeners with his powerful personal style that combines great bebop artistry and Middle-Eastern roots in a sophisticated, sometimes ironical manner. Influenced by Coltranes powerful approach on the sax, Gilad's live performances are simply breathtaking and overwhelming.
As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with such as Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney.
Gilad Recorded as well with Robert Wyatt, the Waters Boys and many others.
The Orient House Ensemble includes Eddie Hick on Drums, Yaron Stavi on Bass and Frank Harrison on keys.
“…Atzmon is an astonishing musician.” John Lewis, Metro, September 07
“Atzmon is surely the hardest-gigging man in British jazz...” The Times
“Atzmon is a loose cannon: a larger than life figure with an almost overpowering musical personality... it's as perfect a jazz marriage as you could wish for” Phil Jonson, Independent on Sunday
“A revelation, a multi-reed man of enormous talent.”-Tony Richards Musician Magazine
“Atzmon sends his soprano sax and clarinet soaring over complex rhythms from all points of the globe with a poetry that never forfeits control.”- Nina Caplan, Metro
“Audiences are clearly bowled over with Atzmon's whirlwind approach ... dynamic, charismatic and ... exasperating!”- Brian Blain, Jazz UK
“His flow of ideas and coherent marshalling of them makes for solos that are as exhilarating as they are impassioned fantastiK” The Herald Sunday Tribune
Gilad Atzmon Discography
Discography on the official Gilad Atzmon website.
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