Nitai Hershkovits
Pianist and composer Nitai Hershkovits has been described as a ‘Genuine prodigy’ by BBC music. He is a charismatic performer with an incredibly strong voice and musical vision. His dynamic playing crosses boundaries and genres thanks to a light, elegant touch that conveys a full spectrum of deep emotions and contrasts. ‘Reminiscent of a silky-toned old piano swinger such as the late Hank Jones’ (The Guardian), intertwining bliss and melancholy with skillful freedom. As a solo artist, Nitai Hershkovits’ repertoire consists mainly of original work written for piano, giving space for interpretation.

Born to a Morrocan mother and a Polish father, Nitai started playing the clarinet at the age of twelve, only to discover his love for the piano at age fifteen. Around that time, he was first exposed to the sound of jazz giants such as Wynton Kelly and Sonny Clark.

By the age of seventeen, Nitai had moved to Tel Aviv to combine regular school with private music and piano lessons under the guidance of jazz educators Amit Golan and Yuval Cohen. He soon became interested in a rich variety of both classical and jazz music.

Nitai studied classical music and theory for two years with well-known Israeli composer and educator Dr. Menahem Weisenberg and classical music educators Shoshana Cohen and Amir Pedorovits. Nitai was awarded the highest scholarship given by the Israel-American Music Foundation (AICF) four years in a row between 2004 and 2010. Another highlight was his onetime prestigious Chase Scholarship award in 2009 sponsoring a B.A. degree at the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music.

Nitai has the privilege of touring all over the world and performing at many different venues: Village Vanguard, Salle Pleyel, Vienna Konzerthaus, l’Olympia, Alter Oper, North Sea Jazz Festival, Antibes Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, Montreux Jazz Festival, Barbican Center and Tonhalle, to name a few.

In 2011, Nitai joined bassist Avishai Cohen’s group (known for his long time collaboration with Chick Corea as well as for his successful band leading career). As part of Cohen’s Trio as well as of other symphonic projects, they recorded three albums together: A Duet - Duende (EMI/Blue Note, 2012), A chamber music project Almah (EMI/Parlaphone, 2014) and a Trio album -From Darkness (Razdaz Records, 2015). ​

In 2016 Nitai had relocated to New York City and is keeping a busy schedule, touring and recording with notable artists such as: Malmo Symphonic Orchestra,Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Robert Sadin, Theo Bleckmann, Matt Penman, Mark Turner, Marcus Gilmore, Kendrick Scott, Doug Weiss, Joel Frahm, Ben Monder, Jorge Rossy, Gilad Hekselman, Mndsgn (Ringgo) among many others.He is a regular member in Oded Tzur and Ari Hoenig’s groups.

Nitai's debut album I Asked You A Question (Raw Tapes Records) was released in February 2016. The album, co-produced by Rejoicer, featuring Nitai on vocals, Piano and synths. LA based singer Georgia Anne Muldrow and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel joins Nitai on two of the tracks ("Satellite Dish" and "My Turn" respectively). Exploring the realm of analog electronics, samples and beats, I Asked You A Question is an eclectic, empirical yet genuine attempt of blending improvised ideas and through-composed music.

Nitai's most anticipated album New Place Always (Enja/Yellowbird) will include short songs written especially for solo piano and is due to release in September 28, 2018.