Album Notes

Arik shahar was born in 1964 and grew up in Haifa.At the age of 10 he
began playing drums and percussion .from there he moved on to
guitar, playing mainly bass.
Arik played in haifa with different bands and musicians,among them
Arkadi Duchin,Micha Shitrit,Eeyl Shechter,Barak Hanoch and more.
in fact, for a period of time he had an important roll in the start up of
popular bands that originated in haifa,such as the"Haverim Shel Natasha"
and"Av Tipus".
In 1986 he made a significant musical transition,and began playing
fusion,jazz and funk.he joined the Fusion group called "The Danny Shlosberg Orch" and started to play in jazz clubs all over Israel.this change made him move to the US in order
to study music and develop himself as a musician.

SJRCD1036 arik shahar/closer than ever

(category: tight, jazz funk/jazz guitar - a much jazzier version of lee ritenour)

As part of his successful music career for over 20 years, Israeli funk/jazz guitarist, Arik Shahar lately released this new CD "Closer than Ever" on the String Jazz label.

His special talent and music style combine together beautiful Smooth Jazz tunes. These tunes bring us closer than ever to the fascinating experience of enjoying Smooth Jazz!

In addition, you will find in this album not only his special compositions, but also 9 professional and talented musicians, playing in live performance. High voltage brass, groove drumming, groovey guitar and sax are only some of the instruments used by the musicians. All together, they create a variety of styles to make one Smooth masterpiece.

Arik Shahar has produced here a superb recording featuring many of Israel's top jazz musicians Tight, tight arrangements, superb playing, great tunes and very commercial feel. The best way we can describe the overall ambience of this excellent CD is think of a much jazzier version of Lee Ritenour.

Chris Burden/String Jazz

The musicians that take part in this CD are:
Arik Shahar:Guitars,Bass & Keyboard.
Avraham Felder:Trumpet & flugel horn.

A. Felder is one of the best studio musician & a big band arranger in Israel, he`s also a leader of an important dixie land and a big band orch. He`s performing many jazz festivals around the world, New Orleans, Sacramento, Netherland and more. Also taking a very important part in the annual Red Sea jazz festival in Eilath with famous musicians like Chick Corea, Tower of power and many more.

Nathan Birman: Trumpet.

N. Birman is also a great studio musician playing the first trumpet in the symphonic orch. of Haifa.

Vitaly Austrin: Trombone.

Former Trombone player of the White Russia Jazz orch. and now is one of the best studio musicians in Israel.

Nitzan Ein Habar : Saxophones

We can say the best sax player in Israel performing important jazz festivals around the world and also a very wanted studio musician in many of Israely productions. Also taking a very important part in the annual Red Sea jazz festival in Eilath.

Avi Adrian: piano

Avi is an excellent piano player teaching jazz in the Rimon Israeli Music Academy. Also taking a very important part in the annual Red Sea jazz festival in Eilath.

Asher Peddi: drums

One of the best studio musicians in Israel, an Israeli vertion of Steve Gadd.

Shay Miara: drums

Also a top drummer performing in jazz clubs and also one of the best studio musicians, Rimon Israeli Music Academy graduated.

Yoni Madar: drums and percussions

Professional and talented musician.