To Whom it May Concern:

I am a veteran Israeli musician/composer since 1980.  I made Alyia in that same year. Since then I have created many successful projects. I have been privileged to be awarded the Israel Prime Minister’s award in composition.  I have helped to nurture many generations of young Israeli musicians, including youth a risk.  One of them has won two Grammies.  Others have blossomed.  At age 78 I am ecstatic to be able to witness my students develop into independent artists with their own innovations and vision.  I am proud of what I created as an “Oleh”.

Several weeks ago I received an email me from the Jerusalem Jazz Festival (part of the ongoing Israel Festival).  The producers graciously invited me to perform in this year’s festival with my new composition for trio and dynamic art entitled “Quick Shift Messenger”, with original music and live painting on stage (Jacob Yona).   I was excited about doing this.  I let the members of my trio know; they cancelled their work to find time to prepare and perform. For the last weeks I have worked day and night preparing both as a player and composer, while circulating to friends and family that I would be part of the festival.  I suddenly felt like the boxer Rocky invited to another fight and slowly started the grueling basic training as a saxophonist and conductor.  Over the last weeks my time was devoted to this 100%.  I couldn’t let my “fans” down. I’d like to think that I have........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)