Gilad Hekselman

Gilad was born in Israel in 1983. He studied classical piano from ages six to nine, when he dropped piano and started playing guitar. From ages twelve to fourteen, Gilad was a regular performer in a band of a weekly children's television show. At fifteen, he began studies in the Thelma Yellin School of Arts' Jazz Department, graduating at eighteen with a special diploma in recognition of his excellence. Already in high school, Hekselman was playing with some of the best musicians in the Israeli jazz scene. He receives a scholarship from the America - Israel foundation.

In July of 2005, Gilad competed in the the GibsonMontreux Jazz Festival Guitar Competition in Switzerland. The jurys president was legendary guitarist Al Di Meola. Hekselman took first place, winning invitations to play concerts at the 2006 Montreux Jazz Festival, the 2006 IAJE conference in New York, and at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola Jazz at Lincoln Center. He also won a Gibson Les Paul guitar.
Gilad's debut record SplitLife with bassist Joe Martin and drummer Ari Hoenig will be released this summer (2006) on Smalls Records. The CD can be puchased directly from Gilad on his shows or online. Click here to buy online
hese days, Gilad is living in New York City, where he attends the New School University of Jazz & Contemporary Music. He plays concerts with some of the best musicians in town such as Greg Hutchinson, Reuben Rogers, Ari Hoenig, Joel Frahm, Joe Martin, Jonathan Blake, Jason Lindner, Avishai Cohen, Joe Cohn, Omer Avital, Mark Ferber, Kendrick Scott, Matt Brewer, Hans Glawischnig, Anat Cohen, Eric McPhearson, Francois Moutin and many others. Gilad plays in clubs such as The Blue Note, The Jazz Gallery, Fat Cat, Smalls, Dizzy's Club, Minton's Playhouse and Triad.
Get Your Own! | View SlideshowGilad Hexelman - no, Gilad Hekselman - yes, again - Gilad Hexelman - no, Gilad Hekselman - yah!

Live in Montreux with Dave Robaire and Ferenc Nemeth

Live in Montreux with Dave Robaire and Ferenc Nemeth