The Grass is "Greener"... on our side

Jerusalem Rocks! Music festival

I just got an email from Jeff Pulver (Who is really rocking the Israeli media scene lately) regarding an interesting event he's helping organize:

Jerusalem Rocks!

Looks like its going to be a great show - and for a great cause: To support peace and unity.

The event will bring a line-up of artists from Israel and abroad, including The Black Eyed Peas, Arrested Development, and The Commitments!

Some interesting people behind this.

The event will take place on September 9, 2007 at Teddy Kollek Stadium in Jerusalem.

Although I haven't been at a live rock concert for over 10 years.... I think I might just make it this time

Jazz culture in the Red Sea...

I just got back from 24 hours in the Red Sea Jazz Festival (well, to be more precise - it was 5 hours in the Jazz fest, 4 hours (*2) driving, 9 hours (making up for lost) sleep, and a couple of hours looking for places to escape the scorching heat (43C).

Its the first time I've attended this event, and it was really great:

• Eilat is a beautiful place - and the drive to and from even more so
• The sea is blue (ignore the name), with clear water, and beautiful desert mountains in the background
• The event attracts top international talent, such as the Mingus Dynasty (pictured below), who put on one of the most energetic and exciting performances I've ever seen (Including one of the craziest trombone players in the world)
• Eilat is transformed during this week - and is populated with Jazz lovers - ranging from 15 year old music hippies (on their last days of school vacation) through to the countries top CEOs (and VCs ;)

I'll surely be there next year... and highly recommend joining!

Tags: Red, Sea, Jazz, Festival, Eilat, 2006

Playing (trying) Sax

This afternoon I joined Ouriel for a short Jazz session. After over a year back in Israel I finally found someone who's willing to put up with my playing and join me for some tunes :)

(Thanks Ouriel!)

Its such a big difference playing with someone live then on your own (much less boring, and more challanging). I guess its a bit like talking (I try not to talk to myself too much... Maybe that's why I blog)

I'll start of with some excuses:

1. I really didn't practice enough over the last month or so (In Sax - you need to play every day in order to stay in shape)

2. I must get back to taking lessons - anyone know a good Sax teacher around?

3. Its the first time we've played together... so things can only go up from here :)

So here is our (first run) version of Manhana de Carnaval (also known as Black Orpheus) Bossa Nova...

I'm giving up Radio

After having given up my cable subscription, I'm moving on to other mediums -

Here's one of those - "How did I live without it" technologies...

Moreover, its one of the (few) ideas I even envisioned creating several years ago (although only for a few seconds :(

And of course, its one of those ideas that you immediately get hooked onto!

Pandora

Basically - Listen to music channels that are customized to your preferences - and discover new music you love, that you didn't even know existed! Non stop fun :)

I love it.

And the business aspects - Well these guys have a really great business model:

• Music is licensed and provided either free (with a bit of ads) or premium (no ads) (they've signed agreements with the music labels)
• They become a worldwide music promoter - They have the ability to push new music out to a perfectly target audience
• They can make good use of the "long tail" (i.e. all that non commercialized music that no-one ever hears of, but you might still love)
• And of course, once I like a song I can buy the song/album through them

The company has raised over $20m in three rounds from US funds, and has achieved great traction over the last half year...

So if you ever drop by my house, it's Pandora you'll be hearing in the background!

Israeli music

Whilst I was living in Europre I found myself searching many times for Israeli music to play to friends. I had a hard time finding albums that combine East and West, and bring out the Israeli feel.

This week, while hosting guests from abroad, I had the opportunity to watch a performance of Liraz Cherchi, a young Israeli singer. She really brought out the beauty of Israeli - A combination of modern western beats with a meditaranian and eastern feel. Liraz not only has a great voice, but also a beautiful and authentic mediteranian look.

Liraz is also a lead actor in one of my favorite Israeli movies - "Sof haolam smola" - "Turn Left at the End of the World", which won several prizes (this was the first movie Liraz ever took part in!).

I think Liraz has the potential to become a big star - If I had to place my bet, she would be top of my list.

Surpassing the physical being

I just returned from the opening performance of the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival.

Phil Woods led the show (On sax), together with Tony Pancella (Piano). Phil is one of the most influential Alto Sax players of all times.

It was an inspiring experience!

Phil is 75 years old. I wouldn't say he is in great physical shape... Far from it. He actually has breathing difficulties (he had to use his asthma Ventolin inhaler twice during the show)... But when he started blowing the sax - he seemed to be in better shape than an Olympic gold medalist. It was really unbelievable! He gave a breathtaking 90 minute performance - And only the audience was gasping for air...

I guess it comes down to his pure talent, passion, and years of playing. At some stage it turns in something that is as natural as breathing - In Phil's case - even more natural. The sax seems to be an extension of his body.

(My sax playing is still at the stage of trying to remember that I need to breath ;)

Its great to see one of the top global talents in action up close...