Breeza

Trio Shalva is a discovery for this listener, and what a discovery! According to the PR notes, `Trio Shalva is a bold and genre-bending group formed by three jazz musicians, all born and raised in Israel, who first started playing together in New York City four years ago. Their collaboration creates a powerful new realm of music where Hebrew folk traditions and contemporary jazz are woven together seamlessly to create a fabric of sound that will transport any listener through time and space to a new Middle Eastern musical landscape. Gleizner, Hayon and Snir-Zelniker, each a sensitive player in his own right, create an innovative richness of sound that both honors the musicians' homelands and pushes the boundaries of modern jazz. It all began in 2009, when Assaf Gleizner (piano, melodica), Koby Hayon (bass, acoustic guitar , oud), and Nadav Snir-Zelniker (drums, percussion) came together for their first gig, in which they performed original compositions and arrangements of traditional Israeli classics. It only took one show for them to understand the serendipitous connection that was underway. It was at that point, the three musicians moved forward as Trio Shalva, choosing the name for its representation of the Hebrew word for "serenity". The main thrust for the trio musically is the exploration of both new and arranged compositions, combining elements of Jazz with Middle-Eastern, Israeli and Jewish influences.' It would be difficult to match that description, so instead just listen and find your own space with them.The ensemble: Assaf Gleizner, piano, melodica, guitar, Koby Hayon, bass, oud, guitar, Nadav Snir-Zelniker , drums, percussionThe tracks are as follows:Mizmor Laila (Melody of the Night) - A. NiniHatzot (Midnight) - A. GleiznerAd Olam Ahake (Forever I Shall Wait) - I. KlepterBa LaShehuna Bahur Hadash (A New Kid in theBlock) - A. OlearchikYad Anuga (A Delicate Hand) - TraditionalEleanor Rigby - Lennon & McCartneyAni Godin - S. BrahaIsabella - A. GleiznerBachelorette - BjörkThe works and the performances are mesmerizing, taking us into an entirely new sound and new world of jazz. Absolutely brilliant! Grady Harp, January 14