Amit Friedman is a leading saxophonist, composer and bandleader in Tel Aviv as well as at today’s European jazz festivals. He also can be heard with some of Israel’s top commercial artists, as both a musician and a composer. Read more about how I think of his East-West cultural cultural weavings on my post at Of The Moment.
Until last week, and his Quartet were slated to appear on March 21 at the hot new Szczecin Jazz Festival in Poland, together with other performers including Billy Harper, Bobby Watson, Vincent Herring and fellow Israeli Avishai Cohen. But the coronavirus pandemic has put that event on hold.
As the lockdown in Israel quickly expanded, Amit’s standby local clubs have also closed down.
“I’m not complaining – I’ve got more time now with my family,” he told me in a phone call. “But we’re hoping this craziness will end soon. It’ll pass.”
Amit has issued two excellent albums, with pianist Omri Mor, bassist Gilad Abro, drummer Amir Bresler, oud master Amos Hoffman and others: Sunrise (2017) and Long Way to Go (2019), recommended. Find more information on Amit Friedman on his website.
