Yoron Israel and High Standards

Yoron Israel, a native Chicagoan, is among his generation's most gifted and sought-after musicians. Israel's exciting and tasteful drumming, along with his compositional and arranging talents, are spotlighted on his most recent release, New Dreams, as well as the recordings This Moment (Live in Boston), Visions (The Music of Stevie Wonder), Basic Traneing, and A Gift for You, all on his label, Ronja Music Company. Also of note are Israel’s recordings, Chicago (Double Time) and Live at the Blue Note (Half Note). As co-leader of the Frank Walton/Yoron Israel Sextet, the recordings Live in Chicago and The Back Step (Han-Wal Productions) are noteworthy. These fine works have received enthusiastic praise from journalists, musical peers, and fans alike. They represent the extensive depth of Israel’s musicianship as he continues to evolve as a bandleader. He brings his unique influences and experiences in jazz, world styles, gospel, contemporary Christian, funk, R&B, and orchestral idioms full circle with his compositions, arrangements, repertoire, and ensemble concept. "A Gift for You is a sparkling musical offering from a drummer with good taste. He has a sense of direction and a feeling of joy in his drumming, compositions, and arrangements. Yoron Israel is an important voice you should listen to."—Jack DeJohnette

Israel currently serves as chair and professor in the Percussion Department at Berklee College of Music; pastor of music and arts at Destiny Life Center International Church in Brockton, Massachusetts; and founder and artistic director of the concert series Jazz in the Sanctuary, South Shore. Additionally, Israel leads several dynamic ensembles that present original compositions and personalized arrangements by influential composers, as well as their open improvisations. His latest recording, New Dreams, is a sparkling example, highlighting his trio with notable guest artists, including saxophonist Bill Pierce, vocalist Nedelka Prescod, and violinist David Eure.

His Boston-based quartet, High Standards, is featured on Isreal's This Moment and Visions. The quartet currently features Laszlo Gardony on piano/keyboard, Lance Bryant on tenor and soprano saxophones, and Henry Lugo on bass. This core foursome represents an infectious depth of virtuosity and musical cohesiveness. This ensemble is committed to forging “new standards” for the 21st century and beyond while adding a personalized perspective to familiar performance, compositional, and arrangement references by which future generations of listeners and musicians will be inspired.