Itamar Erez & The Adama Ensemble

Artist Biography by: Adama Music

The music of Adama is exploring the boundaries of classical, contemporary jazz and world music, composition and improvisation. Influenced by such musicians as Anouar Brahem, Egberto Gismonti and others, Adama is creating an exciting and original material, rich with Middle-Eastern and Flamenco sounds, unusual melodies, and complex rhythms.

Adama’s music is a fusion, and a mirror of our multicultural origins and influences. The members of Adama are originally from Israel and Canada, all with very broad musical interests and experience. 'Adama' means 'Earth' in Hebrew. The members of Adama are: Itamar Erez (guitars/piano/composition), Tony Nickels (reeds), Laurence Mollerup (bass) and Stefan Cihelka (tabla).

The new CD, by the ensemble ('Desert Song') was launched March 5th 2006 in Vancouver, and has been received enthusiastically nationally and internationally. It is available for purchase at CDbaby .

For more information on Itamar Erez & The Adama Ensemble, please go to Itamar Erez's website bios: ITAMAR EREZ is a composer, guitarist and pianist originally from Israel. His music has been commissioned and performed by various ensembles and orchestras in Germany, Italy, France, England, Israel, United States and Canada. Since 2002 he has been busy writing music for, and performing with, his group ‘Adama’.

TONY NICKELS is well known in Vancouver as a free-lance performer and teacher of woodwind instruments. He has performed extensively with the Vancouver Opera, CBC, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras, as well as with many jazz and rock groups. He is a versatile performer on oboe, saxophone, clarinet and flute, and in both the classical and jazz idioms. Tony is on the music faculty at Capilano College.

LAURENCE MOLLERUP has performed with many symphony orchestras and choirs, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra , Victoria Symphony, and Vancouver Opera , and his jazz credits include work with Herb Ellis, Louis Bellson, Alan Matheson and Bud Shank/Phil Woods, Charlie Byrd, NOW Orchestra, Asza , Christine Duncan, and his own jazz quartet.

STEFAN CIHELKA has studied the art of Tabla under the guidance of the great Ustad Allarakha & sons Ustad Zakir Hussain & Ustad Yogesh Samsi since 1993. With Adama, Stefan has created a unique drum set which combines western & eastern elements, helping the group forge new ground in Erez's compositions.

For more information: www.itamarerez.com

Photo by: © Diane Kadota

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