In recent months, Eilat has been in the headlines mainly because it has become an evacuee city, to which many evacuees from the Gaza envelope who lost their homes on October 7 were redirected, and in light of the Houthis' new attacks on it. Now, the southern city is trying to return to a bit of routine in the shadow of such an unusual reality, and announce the winter version of the Eilat Jazz Festival.
The legendary festival, established at the initiative of the late Dubi Lentz, who has been musically managed since 2011, is attended every year by music lovers in general and jazz audiences in particular. It will take place Feb. 24-22 in Terminal Park, and the festival's opening act, "Love Without Borders," will be dedicated to the memory of Lenz, the artistic director and radio personality who passed away last summer.
"After many years alongside my teacher and Rebbe, the legendary artistic director Dubi Lentz, who passed away a few months ago, I was asked to complete the construction of the February Festival program, a task we had begun before he left," says Niva Amali Maoz, the festival's artistic director. "This is a program based mostly on our very talented Israeli artists, presenting special connections and original productions and corresponds with the zeitgeist. We are all experiencing a challenging time in which relief, hope and comfort are needed commodities. I am sure that we can expect special moments together on stages in Eilat. Moments of sounds, colors and intense emotions. I hope you come, breathe and love."
He, too, will arrive in the southern city. Rami Kleinstein (Archive), Photo: Ohad Romano
Among the many artists who will participate in the opening show are Eli Degibri, Joca Perpignan and Marcelo Nami, Yasmin Levy, Maya Belsitzman and Matan Efrat, Omri Mor and Omer Avital, Rona Keinan, and Tom Oren, as well as international artists who are beginning to visit Israel for the first time since the outbreak of the war, including Gabriel Grossi Trio & Friends, the trio of Brazilian virtuoso harmonica player Gabriel Grossi.
David Broza will premiere the show "Brugesjazz" under the musical direction of Omer Avital and with the participation of Eden Ladin, Itamar Borochov and Itay Morchi. The ensemble of Deswa musicians who play Afro-beat and Funky-Jazz will also perform, as will pianist and musician Omri Mor (who will give a master class), Assaf Amdursky in the performance "I Am Guitar" marking the 30th anniversary of the death of his father (Benny Amdursky z"l), Maya Belsitzman and Tom Oren in a duet of cello and piano, Yoni Rechter in a trio with double bass player Barak Mori and drummer Roni Caspi, Keren Ann and Avishai Cohen alongside him on stage, Grammy-winning singer Amy Nobiola who is performing for the first time in Israel, Eli Degibri and Shai Maestro in a musical duet, Rami Kleinstein will host Jane Bordeaux, and more.
Brazilian harmonica player Gabriel Grossi // Photo: Suzanna Tierie
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