Amit Friedman
Biography Amit Friedman
Amit Friedman
Saxophonist and composer Amit Friedman is among the leading musicians in the Israeli jazz scene. His music is rooted in the jazz tradition and incorporates elements of world music and especially Middle Eastern music. The catchy compositions, which blend sophistication and simplicity, communicate with a wide range of audiences. Often, following a performance, one hears the comment, "I don't like jazz and this music really touched me".
In 2012 Friedman released his debut album "Sunrise" on the American record label Origin Records. The album is comprised wholly of original material performed by a jazz sextet of top musicians as well as string quartet. The album received ample airtime and enthusiastic reviews in Israel and the US and ranked at the top of jazz album lists in leading US magazines. "Sunrise" was the top selling jazz album in 2012 in Israel and its title track entered the list of "most played songs" in the popular 88FM radio station. Friedman's 2017 release, "Long Way To Go" continued in the musical vein of "Sunrise". His sextet joined by three guest singers for original and fresh collaborations - Claudia Acuna (Chile-USA), Ravid Kahalani (Yemen Blues) and Tamar Eisenman (New York).
Friedman performs and records regularly with first rate musicians from Israel and abroad. He has also collaborated with Israel's leading pop musicians and spent three years playing and musical directing the band in the successful late night TV show, "Tonight with Lior Shlein". Alongside his work as an instrumentalist, composer and arranger, Friedman is highly active as an educator, working to advance jazz among young people.
