Ben-Hur, Yakir Israel, jazz pianist, composer, arranger, band leader, educator. Born in Beer-Sheva, Israel. Ben-Hur started playing classical piano at the age of 10. In 1989 he joined the Israeli folklore group the "Tsabarim". Between 1989-93 the group performed extensively in various festivals and clubs around Israel, and toured Europe, USA, and Canada. In August 1992, in one of the group's longer engagements in New York, he met with jazz legend Barry Harris, whose warmth and simplicity on the piano inspired Ben-Hur deeply. He started learning jazz piano through his uncle: Roni Ben-Hur, a jazz guitarist and a member of Harris' Quintet.In September 1993 he was drafted in the Israeli Air-Force and served for 3 years as a ground photographer in one of the army's most sensitive locations. After his release from the army (1996) he formed his quartet playing in numerous clubs around Israel and in the 1998 "Red Sea Jazz Festival". In 1998 he was offered a scholarship to Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he had a chance to study with Israel's most versatile musicians. With his uncle's encouragement, Ben-Hur moved to New York (1999) to pursue his dream to study with Barry Harris.In the spring of 2000 he was awarded the prestigious Kaye Scholarship and joined the CCNY jazz program. During his years as an undergraduate Yakir had a chance to play and study with: Ron Carter, Sheila Jordan, Fred Hersch, Gerry Allen, John Patitucci, Alex Norris and David Del Tredici.In April 2002 he formed a trio with Sun Chung (Maestro Myung-Whung Chung's son) on guitar and Assaf Hakimi on bass. The trio had played in various clubs around New York and was also invited to perform in January 2003 at "Once in a Blue Moon" (Seoul's most prestigious jazz club) and "Body and Soul" in Tokyo. In April 2003 Ben-Hur had won the Brunswick Award for Composition for his composition "Sunday's Dawn". He graduated in May 2003 with the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa). He is a member of the "Golden Key National Honor Society" and the winner of the "Sidney Zolot" and "Pro Musica" graduation awards.In September 2003, Ben-Hur was hired as the primary accompanist for the Vocal Rhythm Section Seminars at the New School University of New York Jazz Performance Program, where he currently teaches and works closely with vocalists to develop a coherent communication with a band along with an emphasis on high level of performance.Ben-Hur is also an accompanist for the National Dance Institute (NDI). For 30 years, National Dance Institute, founded by New York City Ballet dancer Jacques d'Amboise, has been teaching dance to 4th, 5th and 6th graders in New York and New Jersey schools. NDI's classes are co-taught by a professional teacher / choreographer, an assistant teacher, and a musician for the duration of the school year, with the underlying belief that the arts are as essential to education as reading math.Yakir is currently studying for his Masters degree in Jazz Performance and Composition at the City College of New York. He is an active performer both as a sideman and leader in various clubs around the city such as Kavehaz, Sweet Rhythm, the Greenroom, Mozart Café, The Garage, Aaron Davis Hall and many more. For concert schedule, please write to
[email protected]."A Sonny Day" is Ben-Hur's debut album and is a tribute to the late great jazz pianist Sonny Clark. The CD includes selections from Sonny's compositions performed by a quintet/sextet ensemble featuring New York's most versatile and in demand players.
