Eyal Maoz - Edom (2005, Tzadik) - {Made In Israel / Fusion, Jewish, Avant Garde, Jam}

With the release of his new band's self titled album Edom, guitarist/composer Eyal Maoz introduces a new sound to his fans, John Medeski enthusiastics, and Tzadik Records repertoire aficionados.

Edom tells the story of pain, hope, strength, joy, and celebration.

If one has to define influential figures for Edom, John Zorn's Masada, Medeski, Martin, and Wood, Marc Ribot's Shrek, and all the most adventurous guitar/organ led bands of the past and present would make the list. "A breakthrough release ", as described by Tzadik Records founder and legendary composer John Zorn.

Featuring a spectacular ensemble of downtown all-stars - John Medeski, Shanir Blumenkranz, and Ben Perowsky - Eyal Maoz's Edom is infected with boundless energy, sensitivity, and vision. John Medeski, of the world-renowned trio Medeski, Martin, and Wood, is one of the leading Hammond B3 organ masters of our time. Shanir Blumenkranz is featured on over fifteen releases in the Tzadik catalog, participating in many of Zorn's own recordings. Ben Perowsky of Elysian Fields, Dave Douglas, and John Scofield, is a mainstay on the downtown scene and one of the most in demand percussionists on stages all around the world. Add the blistering guitar work of Eyal Maoz, and the sonic capabilities of Edom reach a radical high point.

"Ecstatic music for a new generation. Keep your eyes and ears on this guy." (John Zorn)

About Eyal Maoz :

Born in Haifa, Israel in 1969, Eyal Maoz started playing piano as a teenager, moving to the guitar at age of fifteen. He began exploring composition, avant garde music, and ensemble work. Upon graduating Rimon School of Music in Israel, he collaborated with veteran experimental musician Harold Rubin and composed music for the Telma Yalin Big band. Together with childhood friend and drummer Asaf Sirkis (one of the most in demand drummers in the UK) he formed his first ensembles.

In 1993, Eyal established the Lemon Juice Quartet along with bassist Shanir Blumenkranz, with whom he has been collaborating ever since. Lemon Juice Quartet, gaining unprecedented success in Israel, was invited to perform numerous times in important jazz events in the country including three times at the prestigious Red Sea International Jazz Festival. In addition, he recorded Freedom Has Its Own Taste (Fasson Records, France), a guitar-guitar synth drums duo with drummer Sirkis.

After relocating to the US in 1999, he arranged his music for the big bands of Phil Wilson and Greg Hopkins in Boston and re-established the Lemon Juice Quartet with trumpeter Avishai Cohen, drummer Kevin Zubek, and Shanir Blumenkranz. Many subsequent national and international tours followed, including the 2003 Verizon Jazz Festival, the 2001 Jewzapalooza Jewish Music Festival, and the 2002 Music Harvest Festival. "Whimsical, unruly and possessed of devastating chops…" Listen.com.

LJQ produced several albums titled Visitor, Republic and Peasant Songs all garnering rave reviews. The most recent LJQ release is a production of Piadrum Records and includes arrangements of music by classical composers Erik Satie and Bela Bartok, arranged by Maoz. LJQ was also featured on the Masada ten year anniversary CD Voices In The Wilderness (Tzadik Records), recording their arrangement of John Zorn's composition Peliyot. He later recorded Blumenkranz's punk arrangement of Santa Morena for the Tzadik Jacob Du Bandolim dedication CD.

Eyal established an electronic music free improvisation trio with cellist Okkyung Lee and keyboardist Daniel Kelly as well as a free jazz improvised trio with veteran avantgarde saxophonist Blaise Siwula and drummer Dale W. Miller. Eyal participated in composer Chris Baker's Saints And Devils release and Daniel Kelly's Duets With Ghosts as well as with progressive art-rock ensemble Kino. In the UK, Eyal was invited to play and record with drummer Asaf Sirkis and 2003 BBC Jazz Artist Of The Year Gilad Atzmon several times. Performances at the 2002 Soho Jazz Festival, 2002 Hundle festival and the 2003 Kilburn Jazz Festival followed.

Eyal is currently active new ensembles featuring his own music: Dimyon – an acoustic ethnic music ensemble featuring Dana Leong on cello, Alan Grubner on vilolin, Shanir Blumenkranz on bass and Mathias Kunzli on percussion; Hypercolor - a progressive rock avant jazz trio with drummer Lukas Ligeti and bassist James Ilgenfritz.

Edom – his newest ensemble, recorded its self titled debut on Tzadik Records at Bill Laswell's Orange Music Studios in 2005 with an all-star cast of John Medeski, Shanir Blumenkranz, and Ben Perowsky. The Music of Edom was performed in the 2005 Jewzapalooza Jewish Music Festival and will be featured in Feb. 2006 edition of Downbeat Magazine.