Tel Aviv based guitarist and oudist Amos Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and later attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians like Dennis Charles, Evelyn Blakey and Juma Santos and up and coming talents like Jason Lindler, Omer Avital, Sam Newsome, Jay Collins, bassist Avishai Cohen, and Duane Eubanks. He also began a more formal study of Middle Eastern music with Lebanese oud and ney player, Basam Saba.
In 1998, he recorded his first solo album, The Dreamer for the Spanish Label, Fresh Sound/New Talent. He has also contributed to numerous other projects, including Ben Wolfe's 13 Sketches 1997, Jay Collins' Cross Culture 1999, Sam Newsome 1999 and bassist Avishai Cohen's Aurora 2009, Sensitive Hours 2008, Continuo 2006, Colors 2000 Devotion 1999 and Adama 1998.
After returning to Israel at the end of 1999, he began to compose the music that would eventually become the tracks on Na'ama, released in 2006 (Magda). On Na’ama, Hoffman plays homage to the traditions of classical Arabic music - the taqasim (improvisation) and the maqam (scales). All 12 tracks are original compositions, inspired by the great Arab composers of the 20th Century.
Further pursuing his passion for combining jazz with Middle Eastern music, his third release, Evolution (RazDaz 2008), is a ten track exploration of melodies and rhythms that incorporates compositional and improvisational elements common to both musical genres. His long-time friend and musical associate Avishai Cohen, who plays contrabass, piano and contributes vocals, joins him on Evolution.
Hoffman’s latest release, Carving (RazDaz 2010) takes another step westward, featuring guitar on half of the tracks, and strengthening the rhythm section by adding a drummer to the lineup. Amos is currently touring with Avishai Cohen’s Quintet, and promoting Carving.
About Carving
Genre crossing guitarist and oudist Amos Hoffman’s newest release Carving (RazDaz 2010), makes his musical statement in two languages – guitar and oud. From the up tempo, almost danceable oud featured on Brown Sugar, to the scat influenced guitar on Ras, the tracks on Carving weave between instruments and moods, continuing to explore the boundaries of Jazz. Hoffman describes his music on his album as “a bunch of different parts that come together in a way that feels right to me. It's not always straight forward or easy to define, but that’s what makes life interesting”.
Carving is also a very personal album, inspired by relationships with friends and family. One of the tracks is named after his wife, and three after friends. Ras, for example, is named after Avishai Cohen, whose personal and professional relationships with Amos span the better part 20 years. “I don’t start writing a tune with a particular person or idea in mind,” says Hoffman, “later it just hits me that the music fits with someone in my life”.
The title and cover art, are also close to Hoffman’s heart. His Father, Moshe, was a well known artist in Israel, and Hoffman credits him with developing his creativity and love of music. “I called the record Carving partially as a tribute to my Father,” Hoffman explains. “Watching him as a child taught me to create with patience. It took a long time to write and arrange these songs, and it reminded me of watching my father sculpt”.
Hoffman trusts his musicians and gives them the freedom to find their own voices within the compositions to challenge them and keep their artistic bond strong. This desire to keep the momentum is why he decided to play both guitar and oud on Carving. Though he is probably best known for bringing a Jazz sensibility to Middle Eastern music, here he’s done the opposite, taking the oud toward a more funky, Western place. “It’s more fun to keep experimenting with the music, to see where it can go.”
Accompanying Hoffman on Carving are Ilan Salem (flute) Ilan Katchka (percussion) Gilad Abro (bass) and Amir Bresler (drums). It also features guest appearances by bassist Avishai Cohen, Itamar Doari and, Shai Maestro.