Daniel Zamir
Encyclopedia
Daniel Zamir is an Israeli religious Jewish saxophonist. Having started on alto saxophone
, Zamir is mainly known for his soprano
playing.
.
After he finished his studies he was discharged from the Israel Defense Forces
due to his low weight and left for New York
, where he began showing interest in Jewish, Hasidic and East European music. He completed his studies at New School in 2002.
In 2008 Zamir married Hanni Schroeder.
, who signed him to a contract in his recording label "Tzadik
".
Under the "Tzadik" label, Zamir recorded three albums with his band, Satlah, with Zorn as a sideman
. They recorded two studio albums called "Children of Israel" and "Satlah", as well as a live performance called "Exodus". "Satlah" and "Exodus" contain original materials written by Zamir himself, while "Children of Israel" contains original jazz variations of known traditional Israeli and Jewish compositions. In all three albums, Zamir performs as soloist together with a rhythm section, which includes bass and drums, accompanied by an ensemble of brass instruments.
, Daniel Friedman on drums and Omri Mor on piano
. Avishai Cohen plays trumpet on one of the tracks.
In 2009, Zamir released a second album on the "Hatav Hashmini" label titled "Echad" (One).
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
, Zamir is mainly known for his soprano
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
playing.
Background
Zamir was born to a secular family and started playing the saxophone at the age of twelve. He is a graduate of Thelma Yellin high school of arts in IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
After he finished his studies he was discharged from the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
due to his low weight and left for New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he began showing interest in Jewish, Hasidic and East European music. He completed his studies at New School in 2002.
In 2008 Zamir married Hanni Schroeder.
With John Zorn
In New York he was discovered by the Jewish composer-saxophonist John ZornJohn Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
, who signed him to a contract in his recording label "Tzadik
Tzadik Records
Tzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
".
Under the "Tzadik" label, Zamir recorded three albums with his band, Satlah, with Zorn as a sideman
Sideman
A sideman is a professional musician who is hired to perform or record with a group of which he or she is not a regular member. They often tour with solo acts as well as bands and jazz ensembles. Sidemen are generally required to be adaptable to many different styles of music, and so able to fit...
. They recorded two studio albums called "Children of Israel" and "Satlah", as well as a live performance called "Exodus". "Satlah" and "Exodus" contain original materials written by Zamir himself, while "Children of Israel" contains original jazz variations of known traditional Israeli and Jewish compositions. In all three albums, Zamir performs as soloist together with a rhythm section, which includes bass and drums, accompanied by an ensemble of brass instruments.
In Israel
While staying in New York, Zamir got closer to the Jewish religion and finally decided to go back to live in Israel. In 2006 he recorded his fourth album, "Amen", under the Israeli label "Hatav Hashmini", with Omer Avital on bassDouble bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, Daniel Friedman on drums and Omri Mor on piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. Avishai Cohen plays trumpet on one of the tracks.
In 2009, Zamir released a second album on the "Hatav Hashmini" label titled "Echad" (One).
Music Festivals
In September 2009, Zamir participated in the Israel Music Celebration Festival in Be'er Sheva which featured dozens of different artists from a wide variety of musical backgrounds.Discography
- Satlah (2000)
- Children of Israel (2002)
- Exodus (2003)
- Amen (2006)
- I Believe (2008)
- Echad (2009)
- Gaagua Lekan (2010)