Rising stars from Israel

November 06, 2011|By Andrew Gilbert, Globe Correspondent

Much like earlier decades when a few players from Detroit, Memphis, or Philadelphia moved to the Big Apple and paved the way for their contemporaries back home, the Israeli scene in New York has become self-sustaining, with dozens of well-ensconced players helping new arrivals get settled. Here are four musicians to keep an eye on.

ELI DEGIBRI The son of a Bulgarian-born Holocaust survivor and an Iranian-born mother, tenor saxophonist Degibri absorbed a wide array of influences growing up in Jaffa, and he cites Israel’s popular, folky singer-songwriters as an enduring influence. Since making his reputation touring with Herbie Hancock for nearly three years, Degibri has struggled to establish himself as a leader. His latest album, 2010’s commanding “Israeli Song’’ (Anzic Records) featuring Ron Carter, Al Foster, and Brad Mehldau, should be a major step in that process.

OMER AVITAL Part of the vital early-1990s scene around the West Village club Smalls, bassist Avital is a visionary bandleader who weaves cadences from his Moroccan-Yemenite roots into his post-bop forms. His latest album “Free Forever’’ (Smalls Records) captures a revelatory live session from Italy in 2007 with trumpeter Avishai Cohen, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, drummer Ferenc Nemeth and pianist Jason Lindner.

GILAD HEKSELMAN Since arriving in New York in 2004, guitarist Gilad Hekselman has quickly won a devoted following among his peers with his pellucid sound, flowing sense of time, and compelling tunes. He recently released his third album, “Hearts Wide Open,’’ which is built upon his remarkably sympathetic trio with bassist Joe Martin and drummer Marcus Gilmor, though tenor saxophonist Mark Turner joins them on half the tracks, perfectly matching the mood of cool, probing lyricism.

YOTAM SILBERSTEIN A guitarist with a deep feel for Brazilian music, Silberstein has been on a fast track since earning a New School scholarship in 2005. Championed by several revered veterans, particularly James Moody, he’s grown exponentially with each new release. On 2010’s “Resonance’’ (Jazz Legacy Productions), a quintet session with pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Christian McBride, drummer Greg Hutchinson, and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Silberstein plays with the self-possessed authority of a player twice his age. ANDREW GILBERT