Music
Press
...”For over forty years I have known and constantly listened to this music, at home ceremonies, on amateur / professional, old /new recordings. .. I loved - maybe even fell in love - with this new performance and interpretation. I believe that this recording will bring great joy to both lovers of world music and to conservative Moroccans and Ladino speakers, this recording having retained the heart and soul [of this tradition] and even enriched it. It has something of Jerusalem… The music is simply superb.”
(Albert Suissa, “Kol Ha-Ir”, translated from Hebrew)
“Kenan Ofri’s voice is a revelation… This new release is a must for anyone interested in Jewish Moroccan music, or to Arabic music in general"… (By Ari Davidov “Klezmer Shack”)
“…The result is a seamless and engaging collaboration that combines Hebrew liturgical poetry, Ladino and Arabic classical modes in a beautiful blend.”
(By George Robinson, “The Jewish Week”)
“…Kol Oud Tof Trio’s performances are first rate, Esti Kenan-Ofri has a lovely, clear, well controlled and flexible voice, and sings with commitment and intelligence…High musical level of this fine album, a pleasure both at first and repeated listening.”
(By Judith R. Cohen, “Songlines”)
"When two high qualities come together… On the one hand, the high quality of the Sephardic musical repertoire in the communities of Northern Morocco, and on the other one, the high quality of the performing group, Kol Oud Tof.
(By Shoshana Weich Shahak)
- various
Discography
The trio's first cd "Gazelle" was released by "Magda Music" 2002. The song "Dezile al mi amor" can also be found on Rough Guide's cd "Israel".
The trio's second cd "Haketia" is about to be released.
Photos
Bio
Three musicians, three instruments, three countries & three Languages, Gather in Jerusalem to play the music of Morocco which remembers Spain which in turn, yearns for Jerusalem.
The rich and extensive musical heritage of Moroccan Jews - songs in the Jewish-Arabic dialect, women’s songs from Northern Morocco sung in Spanish, liturgical music and Classical Andalusian songs sung in Hebrew - all these layers are being revealed and treated here with passion and fine musical prowess to form an inviting and exiting performance for all music lovers.
Esti Kenan-Ofri
Singer-performer and composer Esti Kena Ofri was born in Italy. She performed the leading roles in Luciano Berio "Ofanim" with, among others, the Berlin Philharmonic under Claudio Abado and in Fabio Vaechi's opera "II Viaggio". Her CD "Juego de Siempre" is a collection of Judeo-Spanish songs arranged by composers Betty Olivero and Oded Zehavi. "On the Edge of a dream" and "Birds of Passage" both with Slava Ganelin. Her CD "Camino en Mano" is her latest work on Ladino materials.
Armand Sabach
Armand Sabach was Born and raised in Morocco, than immigrated ti Israel. An expert of Andalusian music of Morocco and Algeria, he has been performing, composing and a music director with ensembles and singers Haim Luk, Emil Zrihan, Ilana Eliya, Lior ElMaliach, Ruth Yaakov, "Andalusalam" Orchestra and many more.
Oren Fried
Jerusalem born drummer- percussionist Oren Fried plays and teaches a wide range of musical styles , including Jazz,Afro Cuban and Middle Eastern . He had Worked and recorded with Ilana Eliya, The Abidin ensemble, Mendy Cahan, Meira Asher, Piris Eliyahu, , Ofer Calaf , Morin Nehdar.
Milestones
-2000. The Trio is granted by the Israeli Ministry of Culture to make a research and record the music traditions of Moroccan Jews. The Trio starts performing regularly in Israel.
- November 2001. The Trio performs in The Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam and the Haag, the Netherlands, and in Munich, Germany.
- February 2002. "Gazelle", the Trio's first CD is published by Magda Music.
-2002. The Trio performs at the "Bnei Avraham" Festival in Eisenach and Erfurt, Germany.
- November 2002. The Trio performs at the International Guitar Festival in Tel Aviv.
- March 2003. The Trio performs at the Jewish Arts Festival in London, U.K.
- March 2003. The Trio performs at the "Strictly Mundial" in Marseille, France.
- -2003. The Trio receives an award: Best Chamber Music Ensemble from the Israeli Ministry of Culture.
- November 7/ 2004. The premiere of the Trio's second program "De Venti Cinco Escalones" is held at the International Oud festival in Jerusalem.
-January 2005 The Trio performs at the Kaufmann Hall in New York City.
-2006 The Trio records its second album.
- February 2007 Kaufmann Hall in N.Y.C.
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