Gilad Atzmon Jazz Trio

The great jazz saxophone player Gilad Atzmon arrives from the UK to perform with his Jazz Trio at Windcraft Music Centre in Nicosia (6 Feb) and at Jazzy B in Limassol (7 & 8 Feb).

Gilad Atzmon is an Israeli-born British jazz musician, a novelist and an anti-Zionism activist. As a multi-instrumentalist he plays saxophones, clarinet and ethnic woodwind instruments. His album Exile was the BBC jazz album of the year in 2003. He has been described by John Lewis on the Guardian as the “hardest-gigging man in British jazz". Atzmon is touring extensively around the world playing in festivals, concert halls and clubs. His albums, of which he has recorded twelve to date, often explore political themes and the music of the Middle East.

Also, being a prolific writer, Atzmon's essays are widely published. His novels 'Guide to the perplexed' and 'My One And Only Love' have been translated into 24 languages. Gilad's latest book, The Wandering Who? is a study of Jewish Ιdentity Politics. It was published in English in October 2011 and since then it was translated into ten languages.

Over the years Gilad Atzmon's music has moved more and more towards a cultural hybrid. As a bandleader and reed player he has been amazing his listeners with his powerful personal style that combines great bebop artistry and Middle-Eastern roots in a sophisticated, sometimes ironical manner. Influenced by Coltrane’s powerful approach on the sax, Gilad's live performances are simply breathtaking and overwhelming.

Gilad's work is highly praised by music press. Here are just a few quotes:
"Atzmon's fluid lyricism is in full flow on songbook classics and worldly originals. But as sweet romance morphs to modernist uncertainty, the bittersweet balance and rich emotional palette equally impress." Financial Times ***** March 2009

“A formidable improvisational array...a jazz giant steadily drawing himself up to his full height…” The Guardian.

“The best musician living in the world today” Robert Wyatt

"Gilad Atzmon, the expat Israeli saxophonist/clarinetist, combines thrilling jazz musicianship with a maverick political intelligence" Guardian ****

"Atzmon always manages to tell a story" Uncut **** March 2009

For his performances in Cyprus he will collaborate with the jazz musicians Ireneaos Koullouras on the double bass and Stelios Xydias on the drums.

** THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY at 21:00, Windcraft Music Centre (27 Xanthis Xenierou, 1015 old Nicosia). Information and Reservations: 22 377748, www.windcraftmusic.com **

** FRIDAY 7 and SATURDAY 8 at 22:30, Jazzy B (Anexartisias/Athinon corner, 3040 Limassol). Information and Reservations: 99 605502 **

Admission: €10

More info about the artist: www.gilad.co.uk