Original Hard Bop

8 MP3 Songs in this album (54:00) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Hard Bop

People who are interested in Art Blakey Horace Silver should consider this download.


Details:
Pianist, composer, arranger and educator Amit Golan, grew up in the city of Haifa, Israel.

After his mandatory military service, Amit studied composition at The Rubin Music Academy in Jerusalem, and a year later moved to New York City, Where he enrolled in the prestigious New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music.

While at the New School, Amit studied with Junior Mance, Kenny Werner, and Joanne Brackeen. After graduating in 1991 with a BFA degree, Amit regularly attended Barry Harris's jazz improvisation workshops, an experience which Amit credits as being a major influence on his own style of teaching.

Since his return to Israel in 1995, Amit has taught jazz history, harmony, and improvisation in Israel's leading music schools, including the Thelma Yellin School for Arts.

Amit Golan is the founder and head of the Jazz department at the Israel Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv.

Since its inception in 2001, the jazz department at the Israeli Conservatory has offered the best jazz studies program in Israel.

Over the past decade Amit has established himself as one of the leading jazz educators in the country, whose students have enjoyed successful international careers.


In past few years Amit Golan has devoted more time to writing music and pursuing a career as a performing artist.

He leads several bands including his piano trio, Hammond and guitar trio, Quintet and Sextet .


In 2007 Amit Golan released his critically acclaimed debut album "I Decided!".


Minton Records' First Release
I decided!
The Amit Golan Quintet featuring Joe Magnarelli

1. Sari (5:30)
2. Doctor D (8:27)
3. Samson & Delilah (7:03)
4. I decided! (6:42)
5. Just in between (6:32)
6. Fresh breeze (5:17)
7. Love walked in (8:47)
8. Silver moods (6:48)

Total Time: 54:04

Joe Magnarelli â Trumpet
Asaf Yuria â Tenor Sax
Gilad Abro â Bass
Doron Tirosh â Drums (2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
Yonatan Rosen â Drums (1, 6, 8)
Eden Bareket â Baritone Sax (3)

All titles composed and arranged by Amit Golan / ACUM (except: Love Walked In, composed by George Gershwin, arranged by Amit Golan).

Recorded at the Lin & Ted Arison Israel Conservatory of Music - Tel Aviv, July 19, 20 & 21, 2007.
Produced by Amit Golan & Noam Uziel; recorded and mixed by Uzi Levy; CD cover design by Eran Yuval.

About the music/production

I Decided! is a classic Hard-Bop album reminiscent of the old days of Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark and others. No Post-Bop, no Progressive Jazz, no apologies. Just good old Hard-Bop!
The album features seven of Golan's original compositions and one Gershwin standard.
The opening theme Sari has a unique form constructed of five different segments, each eight bars in length. The 'A' segment is in B minor with the major seventh on top, which recalls the sound of Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream". The 'B' & 'C' segments, flavored with II â V progressions ascending in half steps, each in a different key. The 'D' segment, is similar to 'B' but with a different ending.
It's a challenging progression which Joe Magnarelli plays brilliantly in a superb solo, with forceful energy and beautiful lyricism. His tone may have reflections of the great late Kenny Dorham.
Doctor D. is an E flat bebop tune that ends with a typical Tadd Dameron progression. Asaf Yuria's tenor sax solo is a exquisite.
Samson & Delilah is a tune based on the old Victor Young standard Delilah, recorded by the great Clifford Brown, Milt Jackson, Wes Montgomery and others.
The theme is constructed from a different set of changes. The 'A' segment is played without piano accompaniment, in order to feature the three horns. The 'B' segment uses a ¾ time feel, over 4/4 time.
The solos are played on the original Delilah changes opening with a baritone solo played by the young and up and coming Eden Bareket.
I decided is a tune based on Charlie Shavers beautiful theme Undecided.
Just in between - Inspired by the ballads of Horace Silver and is arranged with that atmosphere.
Fresh breeze has an easy going bossa-nova feel with a short interlude before each solo.
Love Walked in is one of George Gershwinâs most magnificent themes & features an opening solo by bass player Gilad Abro who shows virtuosity as well as creativity and imagination.
The last tune, Silver Moods is dedicated to the great Horace silver and is inspired by his music & soul.

âGolan has dived so deep into the aesthetics of hard bop that he has actually become a contemporary of its artists, despite working 50 years laterâ¦he makes sure to spice up the rhythm of his songs, and the result is very elegant, fun musicâ.
- Ben Shalev, Haaretz news paper, Dec 5th, 2007.
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"The fantastic melodies were composed in the atmosphere of Hard Bop with the authenticity of that sound. They contain the depth and complexity of traditional American Jazz. The compositions are melodic and accessible but also deep. Each tune brings with it something original and refreshing. The compositions are different from one another and surprising in their diversity.
In my opinion, Amit Golan is one of the leading Jazz composers in Israel today"
- Nurit Hirsh*, October 2007

Nurit Hirsh is one of Israelâs most known and respected Composer & Song Writer.
Noam Uziel, Co-Producer
Tel Aviv, 2008