This "All Stars" band combines five of Israel's top Jazz artists. Each a band leader of his own, they have united in 1998 for an official concert tour of India commissioned by the Israeli Ministry of Foriegn Affairs. After a phenomenal success and rave critics, they decided to keep the band together for special opportunities. Since then the 5tet appeared in the Red Sea Jazz Festival, the Israel Festival in Italy and in many concert venues in Israel. The 5tet has been featured on numerous TV and radio shows and continues to enjoy the public's enthusiasm wherever they appear.
DAN GOTTFRIED: If you say "Jazz" in Israsel, this is "The Man"! A brilliant pianist who has performed with world's jazz legends like Sammy Davis Jr. Benny Golson, Frank Foster,Randy Brecker, Clark Terry,Red Rodney,Steve Grossman,Niels Henning Pedersen,Billy Hart, Sam Rivers,Ronnie Cuber, Kevin Mahogany,Sheila Jordan,Mark Murphy, Johnny Frigo, Von Freeman and the list goes on...founding member of the famous Red Sea Jazz Festival and it's artistic director for the last 22 years, founder of the Jazz Studies Department at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem and long time elected President of the Israeli Musician's Union. Dan has recently received Israel's Minister of Culture's Prize for his life long contributions and achievements in the field of Jazz in Israel.
MAMELO GAITANOPOULOS: One of Israel's leading tenor sax and trumpet players. A gifted composer and arranger whose work is the backbone of the 5tet's repertoire. The 3 tunes posted in this site are his original compositions! Graduate of Berklee (1975) he has performed with Jack McDuff, the Mel Lewis and Jimmy Dorsey big bands, and was a featured soloist with the Charlie Persip big band for which he also wrote original compositions and arrangements. A band leader of his own and a respected educator.
ALBERT PIAMENTA: One of Israel's top respected reeds players. A composer, arranger and conductor, well immersed in the rich traditions of the Middle East and Balkan ethnic music. Headed the Tel Aviv Music Center for many years and leads his own ensembles, among them the famous Israel Saxophone Quartet. Holds Israel's Minister of Culture Prize for his life long contributions and acheivments in the field of Jazz in Israel.
ARNON PALTY / ELI MAGEN: Two of Israel's leading bass players double in the Dan Gottfried 5tet:
ARNON PALTY: An outstanding bass guitar player. An imaginative musician who apart from his playing skills serves as head of the bass department studies at the Rimon School of Music. A Berklee College graduate with masters from the Manhattan School of Music, Arnon is a composer and arranger who has performed with legends like The Greatful Dead, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman, Aierto Moreira, Terry Lee Carrington and many others.
ELI MAGEN: Israel's leading Jazz contrabass player who is also a member of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Eli is a composer arranger and vocalist who has contributed significantly to the Israeli music sceen in the last decades. An in demand studio player Eli is a Mannes College graduate and studied Jazz with Eddie Gomez. On his record are performances with Stan Getz, Dave Liebman, McCoy Tyner,Didi Bridgwater, Red Rodney, Ira Sullivan and many other world renowned artists.
"ARALE' " KAMINSKY: Say drums in Israel and you sayed "Arale' Kaminsky" The most famous drummer of the Israeli Jazz scene. A virtuoso player and teacher of generations of Israeli young drummers who is unable to count the number of record sleeves his name appeares on. Founder of the legendary "Platina" , he toured with the group in the U.S and performed in the famous Newport Jazz Festival, then played drums for the Manhattan Transfer. Arale' has appeared with numerous Jazz legends and through all his long career he continues to maintain his high playing standarts.