Alon Yavnai


Alon Yavnai is an Israel-born jazz pianist.

Biography

Born in Israel, Yavnai began playing piano at the age of four. He has professionally accompanied singers since the age of thirteen. He graduated from the Thelma Yellin High School for Arts and subsequently the Givatayim Conservatory, both in Israel. Alon later furthered his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and soon after took first place in the Great American Jazz Piano Competition.

Music

Alon is a favorite artist of saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. Their collaborations include the Alon Yavnai-Paquito D'Rivera Duet, the Jazz Chamber Trio with Turtle Island String Quartet cellist Mark Summer, and the Latin Jazz Quintet. Alon also accompanies violinist Regina Carter, the New York Voices, and leads his own Alon Yavnai Trio. He has also performed with musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano, Nancy Wilson, Rosa Passos, Leni Andrade, Louis Hayes, Bob Moses, Ravi Coltrane, Romero Lubambo, Claudio Roditi, Rufus Reid, Jim Chapin, and George Garzone.
He has taught, being a former faculty member at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
In 2008, Yavnai won a Grammy as a part of the Paquito D'Rivera Quintet for Best Latin Jazz Album for Funk Tango. Yavnai wrote the title track. In May 2008, Yavnai released his album Travel Notes which features solo pieces as well as trio pieces.

Discography

As leader