Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble

Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble are now on major UK tour to support the release of their new album REFUGE.
"...this is his band's finest album to date and one that best captures the spirit and vitality of their live shows.”
**** Jazzwise Magazine, October 2007
"...The individuality of the music is extraordinary."
**** Alan Brownlee, Manchester Evening News, August 07
“…the OHE is one of the most uncontrivedly versatile and unequivocally entertaining jazz units currently operating in the UK”
Chris Parker, The Vortex, September 07
“…Gilad Atzmon has earned a reputation as an original and creative musician and composer, and that is apparent again in the eight new compositions here.”
***The Scotsman, September 07
“…each track on Refuge makes a statement…”
**** John L Walters, The Guardian, September 2007
"...See Him Live and Buy His Albums."
*****Alan Cross, Amazon, September 2007
“…The new album is as passion-filled as ever…”
Peter Bacon, Birmingham Post, September 2007
“…Atzmon has always been one of the most distinctive saxophonists on the British circuit.”
Clive Davis, The Sunday Times, September 07
“…a brilliantly navigated combination of gentle, sensitive lyricism and precisely focused passion.”
Chris May, All About Jazz, September 07
“…the album feels tranquil and meditative..”
Phil Harrison, Time Out, September 07
“…Atzmon is an astonishing musician.”
John Lewis, Metro, September 07
“Exciting stuff.”
Roger Trapp, The Independent September 07
LIVE REVIEWS “…More sophisticated, subtle and varied than anything else I’ve heard them do and … absolutely overwhelming…If you can possibly see them live, do.”
Aaron Broadhurst Blog, St Ives gig Review,September 2007
“…He makes a lovely liquid sound and produces beautifully formed rapid roulades with every note clean as a whistle.”
Ivan Hewett reviews Gilad Altzmon at Brentwood Theatre, September 07
“…his phenomenal musical talent has gained him a sizeable and discerning following…The quality of the music was extraordinary… a memorable and thrilling showcase for the talents of a passionate, intensely focused musician - and one which is unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry by those who attended.”
Graham Williams, Live Review, Taliesin Arts Centre, South Wales Evening Post, September 07
The Orient House Ensemble is Gilad Atzmon on saxes, clarinet and electronics; Asaf Sirkis on Drums; Yaron Stavi on Bass and Frank Harrison on keys and electronics.
Gilad Atzmon was born in Israel in 1963 and had his musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem (Composition and Jazz) A multi-instrumentalist he plays Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxes, Clarinet, Sol, Zurna and Flutes.
Until 1994 he was a producer-arranger for various Israeli Dance & Rock Projects, performing in Europe and the USA playing ethnic Jewish soul music. Highly involved in the Israeli musical scene he recorded for 'Ofra Haza' , Yeuda Poliker and many others. He also toured with Memphis Slim and supporting many international jazz names such as Jack De Johnette, Michel Petrucciani, Richie Byrach and many others.
Coming to the UK in 1994, Atzmon recovered an interest in playing the music of the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe that had been in the back of his mind for years. He founded the Orient House Ensemble in London in 2000 and started re-defining his own roots in the light of political reality. Since then the Orient House Ensemble has toured all over the world.
Over the years Gilad Atzmon's music has moved more and more towards a cultural hybrid. As a bandleader and reed player he has been amazing his listeners with his powerful personal style that combines great bebop artistry and Middle-Eastern roots in a sophisticated, sometimes ironical manner. Influenced by Coltranes powerful approach on the sax, Gilad's live performances are simply breathtaking and overwhelming.
As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with such as Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney.
Gilad has also recorded with Robert Wyatt, the Waters Boys and many others.