Rafi Malkiel

Composer, trombonist and euphonium player Rafi Malkiel has delighted audiences around the world, performing with artists such as Willie Colon, Arturo O’Farrill, Ray Anderson, Toto La Momposina and Reggie Workman. In 2003 he formed The Rafi Malkiel Ensemble, a group of virtuosi and versatile musicians living in New York City. The group plays original compositions and unique arrangements by Malkiel, fusing Jazz and Latin-American standards with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The music is both composed as well as improvised. The Rafi Malkiel Ensemble has performed in many prestigious venues and has recently released its critically acclaimed debut CD My Island. Rafi was cited in the Recommended Jazz Trombonists list in PBS’ website Jazz, a film by Ken Burns, as well as in The Young Guns of Jazz, trumpeting the best of a new generation, by Chip Deffaa in the New York Post, July 2001.“…trombonist Rafi Malkiel, who soloed with loud confidence” Ben Ratliff New York Times May 17, 2007.“Rafi Malkiel leads a versatile ensemble with unique instrumentation with a far-ranging repertoire that at its base never strays too far away from the Latin-related rhythms of Cuba and South America that ultimately serve as the binding element to his fresh group concept that plays music as danceable as it is listenable to his fresh group concept that plays music as danceable as it is listenable …Thanks so much for the music and for releasing this unique CD that already sticks out amongst the masses. “ Laurence Donohue-Greene, Managing Editor, All About Jazz-New York”Nineteen musicians are heard on Rafi's impressive debut album, My Island, but his trombone is the standout voice. Israeli by birth, he's played Broadway shows, film soundtracks, overseas festivals and a bunch of concerts around town. His primary interest these days lies in Latin sounds… Paul Blair, Hot House Magazine, Featured Artists April 2007 Issue