ABOOUT THE BAND
The veteran Hagiga Sextet was founded by Alon Farber and Dani Benedikt at 2001. Both are Berklee College of Music alumni. Alon was awarded the Israeli Prime Minister Award for Jazz composers (2016) and the Wayne Shorter Award for composers (1998).
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The Hagiga released three CD's so far. The first two were released in the prestigious label Fresh Sound Records (Barcelona, Spain). They are "Exposure" (FSNT 228, 2005) and "Optimistic View" (FSNT 307, 2009). In 2019 Hagiga's third CD was released under the German label QFTF. The CD features the Brazilian percussionist Joca Perpignan. Hagiga received funding from ACUM for this CD. All of the CD's got enthusiastic reviews from important sites like JazzTimes.com, JazzReview.com and AllAboutJazz.com
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"Hagiga" means "celebration" in Hebrew, and accordingly the Hagiga's performance is a feast to the ear. The show is based on spontaneous interaction between the players and produces a mesmerizing and profound experience for the listeners. The music of Hagiga crosses genres- the group can go from swing to Moroccan music to Indian music to funk and classical music
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Hagiga participated in many festivals and venues, among them The B-flat (Berlin, Germany) 2019, OCT-LOFT festival (China) 2018, Red Sea Jazz festival (2017, 2007), Copenhagen Jazz festival (2017), Jerusalem International Jazz festival (2016, 2006), International showcase (2009, 2013, 2018), Tel Aviv International Jazz festival (2013), Paris Jazz festival (2010) and many more
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In her shows and records Hagiga collaborated with important artists like Omri Mor, Eli Degibri, Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen (trp), Ofer Ganor, Omer Klein, Amit Friedman and more.
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The music of "Hagiga" is influenced by such artists as Jazz Messengers, Booker Little, Dave Douglas and more
Alon Farber Hagiga new album "Reflecting on Freedom" will be released on September 17, 2021 under one of the best Jazz labels in the world, Origin Records (Seattle,USA).
BAND MEMBERS
ALON FARBER
Alto & Soprano Saxophone
YEHONATAN COHEN
Tenor Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet
ODED MEIR
Trombone
EDEN GIAT
Piano
ASSAF HAKIMI
Upright Bass & Electric Bass
ROY OLIEL
Drums
Jazzreview.com
Nathan Halaway
"This is one of the finer groups that the Fresh Sound label has produced…Let it be known that Farber and his musicians have incredible empathy and their own voice. They are NOT copycats, nor sound like anyone else…This record is for anyone who is wanting to hear a new voice emerging in the jazz scene"
JazzTimes.com
Eli Degibri
"New Directions is a well-crafted CD led by Saxophonist Alon Farber and drummer Dani Benedikt whose writing is original and smart, balanced and most importantly, thoughtfully aware of each one of the individual band members. Taking their time, the band captivates the listener through a deliberate, interesting and wondrous journey"
Linear notes to the CD
Group Members
Alon Farber
Alto & Soprano Saxophone
Yehonatan Cohen
Tenor Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet
Oded Meir
Trombone
Eden Giat
Piano
Assaf Hakimi
Upright Bass & Electric Bass
Roy Oliel
Drums
Alon Farber
Alto & Soprano Saxophone
Yehonatan Cohen
Tenor Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet
Oded Meir
Trombone
Eden Giat
Piano
Assaf Hakimi
Upright Bass & Electric Bass
Roy Oliel
Drums
Article Quotes
Nathan Halaway
"This is one of the finer groups that the Fresh Sound label has produced…Let it be known that Farber and his musicians have incredible empathy and their own voice. They are NOT copycats, nor sound like anyone else…This record is for anyone who is wanting to hear a new voice emerging in the jazz scene"
Jazzreview.com
Eli Degibri
"New Directions is a well-crafted CD led by Saxophonist Alon Farber and drummer Dani Benedikt whose writing is original and smart, balanced and most importantly, thoughtfully aware of each one of the individual band members. Taking their time, the band captivates the listener through a deliberate, interesting and wondrous journey"
Linear notes to the CD