Featured Jazz Artist: Cardamon Quartet
Vote for Cardamon Quartet in our Top "Fuse This Jazz" Artists

About...

Uri Sharlin and the Cardamon Quartet Accordionist, pianist and composer Uri Sharlin is a bonafide innovator who synthesizes melodies from around the Mediterranean Sea with world rhythms, forming a music that breathes joyfulness and melancholy with expressive clarity.

Upon arriving in New York City, Uri started studying with jazz legends Jackie Byard and Arthuro OFarrrell, while at the same time getting exposed to music from all over Latin America.

He has traveled numerous times to Brazil to soak in the countrys rich musical culture and language.

In 2003, Sharlin started his own group, the Cardamon Quartet, where he blends influences from the Mediterranean with those of the Americas, including avant-garde jazz, classical, rumba, and Brazilian samba.

The group plays Sharlins compositions along with rearranged traditional folk songs from his native region. Each member of the Cardamon Quartet brings his or her unique personality and expressive qualities to the groups novel musical sound.

Classically trained cellist/bassist Jennifer Vincent is bassist for the Ellington Orchestra who integrates jazz into her cello playing.

Reeds player Harel Shachal is an expert in Arabic music and teaches the only class in New York City on the art of Taqsim (Mid-Eastern improvisation style) at the New School.

Drummer/percussionist Dan Aran is one of the most sophisticated and sensitive jazz drummers in New York. Besides performing regularly with such jazz legends as Ron Affif and Junior Mance, Dan also plays with various ethnic ensembles in New York and Israel.

The group recently released their first album Reflections of the Road in New York City and subsequently toured Israel in celebration.

Among other venues in NYC the band performs regularly at Makor and at John Zorns club The Stone.

 


Reviews

Exceedingly well-put together session...a wonderfully free flowing accordionist

"...Reflections of the Road is a spicy jazz journey down thoroughfares that range from straightahead boulevards to decidedly off-the-beaten-paths. "Shir Ha'emek" starts down one such unassuming road, only to stray delightfully into some unchartered jazz/classical/Middle Eastern territory. Joining Sharlin and Vincent are Harel Shachal (saxophones and clarinet) and Dan Aran (percussion). On this exceedingly well-put together session, Shachal's G-clarinet adds a Turkish feel that melds quite nicely with Sharlin's expressive piano and Vincent's arco stylings. The title cut, along with "Hehalil" and "Gaagua," give Sharlin ample opportunity to show his sensitive pianistic touch, while "El Ginat Egoz" and "Yesh Li Keneret" present a wonderfully free flowing accordionist. "Samai Naawather" has Vincent touching your heart strings with hers, and "Tickling Eyes" is a band tour de force, with Shachal blowing up a desert storm..."
Reviewer:
Elliott Simon - All About Jazz (click for website)



"The playing by all group members is solid throughout...charming clarinet and accordion interplay..."
Tom Jackson, Global Rhythm Magazine 1.24.2006


"From the very first track, it's apparent that this particular road passes through exotic hamlets in Turkey, Arabia and beyond...Classy and compelling stuff!" Paul Blair, Hot house-Spotlight February 2006


Listen to the music

 Tracks from "Reflections of The Road" are featured on the  "Fuse This Jazz" audio program

CD

Reflections of The Road
© 2005 Uri Sharlin


 Buy the CD at CDBaby


 

Tracks:

1. Shir Ha'emek
2. Reflections of the Road
3. Gaagua
4. El Ginat Egoz
5. Hehalil
6. Time is a River
7. Samai Naawather
8. Yesh li Kineret
9. Tickling Eyes I
10. Tickling Eyes II

Personnel:
Uri Sharlin: piano, accordion;
Harel Shachal: saxophone, Turkish clarinet;
Jennifer Vincent: bass, cello;
Dan Aran: drums, percussion;
Randy Crafton: percussion (7);
Ramsi Edlibi: percussion (7).

Photo... more here

 

Website... www.cardamonquartet.com