Arnan Raz’s music is energetic, emotional, yet at the same time intelligent, melodic, and combines jazz with his Israeli roots. His music has been influenced by jazz icons such as Lester Young and Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Arnan was born in 1985 in Israel and raised in Kibutz Meridiana in Israel. He was exposed to many different types of music at a young age. He began playing the saxophone when he was thirteen years old, with Albert Beger as his teacher. He also took part in important productions throughout Israel. Raz began his academic studies at Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance immediately after completing his mandatory service. He was guided by Eli Benacott and Boris Gamer. Raz was already well-known as a prominent figure in Israeli jazz, having participated in numerous international festivals, including live broadcasts for The Red Sea Jazz Festival (2008) and Kfar Bloom Festival (2008). Arnan was a member of The Boris Gamer Bigband at the International Israel Festival in Jerusalem in 2010. He also performed White Night with Steve Hornstein. He was a member of the Kedmayama band, which was led by Roi Raz, his elder brother. He was also a member the short-lived group Jembaleya in 2010. He performed at some of Israel’s most famous clubs, including the “Shablul”, and the “Yellow Submarine.” Some of his tunes were also written by him. The band received rave reviews. Arnan played saxophone on the debut album of Israeli Jazz Quartet Umami, which was well received. Arnan Raz currently resides in New York City and performs with his group, as well as other sidemen, as both a leader or a musician. He is currently enrolled in WeBop, the Jazz at Lincoln Center program that teaches early music education. He recently recorded his first album. Visit www.aicf.org
