Tevet Sela

Tevet Sela is a virtuoso saxophonist and composer, and one of Israel's most prominent musicians. Over the last years, Tevet has been leading his own quartet, which exclusively performs his music.

Tevet started playing classical piano at the age of 7. When he was 12 he began playing the saxophone and his interest in Jazz started to grow. At the age of 16 he started to compose his own music and began his professional musical career. Tevet soon became a much sought after session player, playing at the house bands of the most popular Israeli television shows as well as contributing solos for soundtracks and artists releases, both in Israel and abroad.

Tevet Sela is a virtuoso saxophonist and composer, and one of Israel's most prominent musicians. Over the last years, Tevet has been leading his own quartet, which exclusively performs his music.

Tevet started playing classical piano at the age of 7. When he was 12 he began playing the saxophone and his interest in Jazz started to grow. At the age of 16 he started to compose his own music and began his professional musical career. Tevet soon became a much sought after session player, playing at the house bands of the most popular Israeli television shows as well as contributing solos for soundtracks and artists releases, both in Israel and abroad.

In his repertoire, Tevet weaves together elements of soulful Jazz-funk with African and Middle Eastern music. Tevet's style of music came from him being exposed at an early age to the rich blend of cultures found in Israeli society, ranging from Jewish to North African music, and from Middle Eastern to Western music. This singular mix of influences characterizes Tevet's instantly recognizable and individual style.

Tevet, who is also a bassist, has an extraordinary sense of rhythm manifested by his ability to transform the saxophone into a rhythm instrument and to combine his tight rhythmic lines as an integral part of the rhythm section. This rhythmic approach, along with Tevet's song oriented compositions, makes for a complete and satisfying experience.

Tevet, graduated at the prestigious Thelma Yelin School of Arts, has toured in France and the Netherlands as it's big band featured soloist. In addition, Tevet holds a Diploma in music education, and has over the years won several scholarships of the America-Israel cultural fund.

Tevet has enjoyed the Israeli Foreign Ministry's endorsement on several projects such as representing Israel in an international UNICEF benefit concert. This concert was broadcasted from the Netherlands to 35 countries throughout the world and featured international artists such as: David Bowie, Des'ree, Youssou N'doure, Al Jarreau, and more..

In the year 2000 Tevet established his own band and started to record and perform his original compositions. In the spring of 2003 Tevet's debut album 'Tevet Sela' was released and followed by a tour in international jazz festivals and venues, both in Israel and abroad. Tevet's live concerts generate interest and enthusiasm by both European and Israeli audience. His music is frequently played by radio stations around the world including the BBC Radio, and leading Jazz stations in the USA. The Album is nominated for the 'jazz album of the year' and the 'jazz composition of the year' awards at the JPF Music Awards 2006.

Press Quotes

“Band leader composer and saxophonist Tevet Sela has straightforwardly produced some of the most mindful modern jazz in Israel. Tevet Sela follows a sense of “let it go”. When this magical moment happens, his saxophone will shrill, snarl and weep every note to collide into a turning mass of sounds. Tevet Sela injects a high skill onto this release with creativity, spontaneity and passion, offering a very original music which is certainly worth the time.” Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez, JazzReview.com, April 2007

“Tevet Sela Quartet presents an intelligent and skillful mix of classical harmonies with a Kleizmer influence and North-African rhythms...An intriguing concert for all who love innovative and exciting jazz” Time Out, September 2006

“Tevet Sela will undoubtedly be one of the most influential saxophonists of the 21st century” www.saxtalk.com , April 2005

“I'm really impressed by the quality of composition and performance… his writing is adventurous…”. Chris Mann, www.smooth-jazz.de , June 2005