Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod to host jazz pianist, Berber singer and Ethiopian saxophonist

The Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod will host jazz pianist Omri Mor, saxophonist Abatte Barihun and Moroccan vocalist Aziz Ozouss in a month-long concert series.

The performance, “From West to East,” will feature both ancient compositions and original works written by the guest artists, with concerts from May 16 through June 19 in locations throughout the country.

Each of the three musicians has never performed with the orchestra, said artistic director Elad Levi, although he’s played with each of them.

All three represent different styles from the African continent, with Moroccan vocalist Ozouss on the rebab, a kind of bowed lute, singing mostly Berber music, while Mor bridges Andalusian music of Algeria with jazz and Abatte Barihun brings the sacred songs and music of his Ethiopian homeland.

Mor, who tours frequently with bassist Avishai Cohen’s trio, is the thread that ties the three guests together, said Levi, with musical influences that range from classical and jazz to Algerian and African music.

“He’s the combination of it all,” said Levi, “he’s the mishmash of it all put together. Omri surfs all of it and understands Andalusian, too.”

He and Levi have long performed together, said Mor, just not with the orchestra, which Levi has been directing for nearly two years.

“I don’t want to sound cheesy, but I adore all of them,” said Mor. “Abate is a one-of-a-kind musician and I’ve heard Aziz and adore him from afar.”

The music played by all three guests, Ethiopian, Berber and Andalusian, jazz and Latin, is based on pulses, said Mor.

“I’m not an expert in any of these genres, but I can find my way in those genres, I’m the bridge,” added Mor.

Each of the musicians will perform at least one of their songs and all three will also perform together, as well as in some duets.

“I predict a lot of chemistry between the four of us because there is a link,” said Mor. “I see that link in the rhythms, too.”

It’s a certain kind of joy to bring together artists with the Andalusian orchestra, said Levi.

“I look for ideas that interest me and which our regular audience hasn’t been exposed to,” he said. “And most important, creating music that my musicians will want to play.”

The regular audience for the Andalusian orchestra is often older and wants to hear the more traditional melodies and liturgical music that is commonly associated with Israeli Andalusian music, said Levi.

“Our audiences will come to these concerts and hear something new,” he said. “But we’ll also get audience members who come to hear Omri Mor or Abate and will say to themselves, ‘this orchestra is also great.'”