Israeli pianist Omri Mor and his Israeli/Australian trio create a unique blend of virtuoso jazz mixed with the sounds of the Maghreb and Andalusia (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Southern Spain). An utterly original musical experience and an inspiring cross cultural project. In improvising on North African melodies as if they were jazz standards, Mor organically brings together two cultures in peace, respect and harmony.

Omri Mor combines the romanticism and rich tradition of the Maghreb with must-be-heard-to-be-believed rhythmic precision, cultural depth, contemporary jazz harmony and the freedom of jazz improvision.

It's a specific blend of North African rhythms, Gnawan sounds, Arab modes, jazz harmony and grooves, played with stunning virtuosity and spiritual exploration (as our links to concert footage on this page attest). In a world in which "world music" crossovers have too-often become frankly cliched, this is genuine exploration of new and unknown territory. As with all adventurous music, there's an element of risk - and a corresponding uplift when it comes off. The greatness of Omri's music is twofold: in the commitment to bring together Jewish musicians and North African traditional music, and in the supreme success of the project which fully justifies its daring.

Omri Mor was born in 1983, was raised in Jerusalem, and studied classical and jazz music at the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music. Crucially for the AndalouJazz Project, Omri also studied under the guidance of the Oud player and 'paytan' Nino Elmaghribi Biton, who taught him the basics of Andalousian music in the Algerian style from the age of 14.

In the words of Omri's Australian-born bassist, Simon Starr:

"I am not over-hyping to say he is the most amazing musician I have ever played with, and one of the most amazing I have ever heard. When he is in the zone, his improvisational flow, imagination and spirituality are unbelievable, as is his sound on the piano. He explores territory that Randy Weston, Hank Jones and Algerian Rai pianist Maurice el Mediomi taste, but with more jazz harmony. It is very accessible without sacrificing any of the very deep cultural content. In the last half year, we have recorded a concert for European TV, played at a few different European Jazz festivals, in NYC at the Guggenheim, and Omri has been invited to tour Morocco with Karim Ziad (who played with Joe Zawinul for six years, and is considered the main guy in the world for Moroccan/world beat/jazz fusion). This is a huge honour, as not many Jews and certainly no Israelis get invited to Morocco to perform, and Omri will be playing with Karim, both traditional material and his own."

THE TRIO:

Omri Mor - paino

Simon Starr - double bass

Noam David - drums

VIDEO LINKS:

"Atlas" - Omri Mor & The AndalouJazz Project, Tel Aviv Jazz Festival:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRlRDkXwjlo

"Shumbarak" - by Avishai Cohen, Avishai Cohen Trio at Ronnie Scott's, London:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Safj5ZRAg

Solo piano excerpt from European Mezzo Channel documentary, concert filmed Tel Aviv 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6D2NLiDgUk

PLEASE NOTE:

TICKET SALES
Should online tickets be unavailable for sale in the purchasing section above, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 for ticket availability.
TICKETS: $29
STUDENTS: $25

DINNER BOOKINGS
For all Dinner bookings, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 prior to purchasing tickets in the section above.

TIMES
DOORS OPEN at 7.00PM
DINNER SERVICE COMMENCES at 7.30PM
MUSIC STARTS around 9.00PM

AGE RECOMMENDATIONS
This venue is 18+ recommended, so if you are under 18 and would like to come to the show, please call (02) 9328 4411 for further information.