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Artist
Yoni Kretzmer
12+ albums
saxophonejazzfree jazzinstrumentalexperimental
about
Yoni Kretzmer is one of Israel’s leading young jazz composers and saxophonists. After studying at the American School of Modern Music in Paris Yoni broke into the jazz scene in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. For two years he was the saxophonist and composer with the Rats Quartet, which appeared at leading clubs and festivals in Israel. The Quartet’s CD Afternoon High received glowing reviews. In 2007 Yoni founded the avant-garde jazz quintet, New Dilemma, which is comprised of cello, viola, double-bass, drums and tenor saxophone. Yoni’s music, composed uniquely for the quintet, blends modern classical music with free improv and free jazz. Yoni’s aim in composing the music and leading the quintet was to create a synthesis between the written and improvised note and to blur the gap between them. By combining cello and viola, instruments that are characteristic of classical music, and the jazz-oriented drums, double-bass and saxophone, Yoni strives to create a novel chamber sound. New Dilemma’s first concert at Jerusalem’s Khan Theater in April 2007 was received with acclaim by critics. Leading jazz critic Barak Weiss wrote that “Kretzmer’s composition is excellent, restrained and exact; his playing and control of the instrument are superb”. Concerts that followed enjoyed similar praise by audiences and critics. New Dilemma’s first CD, released in February 2009, by Earsay Records, Israel’s leading jazz label, received rave reviews. Ben Shalev, the music critic of Israel’s leading dail
