DESCRIPTION:
Critically acclaimed saxophonist, bandleader, and composer, Uri Gurvich blends the sinuous sounds of the Middle East and Hebraic folk melodies with thoughtful harmonies and brawny rhythms to create a unique jazz experience. Born and raised in Israel, Uri Gurvich won the Jazz Player of the Year competition in Israel before relocating to Boston to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music studying under Joe Lovano. He has played at prestigious jazz festivals and venues in Europe, South America, Japan and the US, including Lincoln Center and Blue Note. Gurvich is an in-demand saxophonist who won also acclaim as a leader with his 2009 debut, The Storyteller, which was released on John Zorn's label -- Tzadik Records. Featuring Leo Genovese on piano, Peter Slavov on bass, Francisco Mela on drums and Chris Cheek on tenor sax, some of the most prominent voices on the contemporary New York jazz scene. The music places Israeli, Yemenite, East European and North African music into a progressive jazz context. Uri and his quartet released their second album in April 2013 featuring Moroccan multi instrumentalist, Brahim Fribgane. 

"It's meta-world jazz, and it's breathtaking." --Washington City Paper

"Gurvich presents a compelling and strikingly original program that is imbued with beautiful, soulful melodies and brimming with ecstatic improvisation" --Jazz Times

"Uri Gurvich's alto sax treatment of the melody is haunting and powerful." --Jazz Review

"The lush music — particularly a take on the traditional Sephardic piece "Scalerica de Oro" — transcends borders." Chris Barton, LA Times

"A proudly cosmopolitan new album" Nate Chinen, NY Times

"BabEl is elemental and atavistic, yet fresh and innovative, a perfect combination of past and present" Terrell Holmes, NYC Jazz Record

"The joy expressed in Gurvich's music is the same joy John Coltrane discovered when he applied his African-American gospel roots to jazz and world music. With BabEl it's just the reverse that is true" Mark Corroto, All About Jazz

"The Storyteller is a brilliantly auspicious debut by a major new voice in jazz." Thom Jurek, All Music Guide -- 4 Stars

"Gurvich presents a compelling and strikingly original program that is imbued withbeautiful, soulful melodies and brimming with ecstatic improvisation" Bill ilkowski,Jazz Times

"It's meta-world jazz, and it's breathtaking."Washington City Paper

"Matching a big sound with an expansive approach that draws on many cultures, his concept is global in scope but Jewish at its core." Phillip Lutz, The Forward

"...a new Tzadik disc, The Storyteller, which features lush, emotive post bop with anIsraeli tinge" Time Out, New York

"Saxophonist Uri Gurvich is superb at every turn" All About Jazz

"Uri Gurvich supplies sharp alto sax work" Jazz Times

"...as much a jazz album as a celebration of Gurvich`s cultural background." Andrey Henkin, All About Jazz

"He's an imaginative soloist but his sense of time is unshakable." All Music Guide

"Uri Gurvich's alto sax treatment of the melody is haunting and powerful." Jazz Review