Biography
Daniel Zamir works as a saxophonist, vocalist, composer, and bandleader. Although alto saxophone appears frequently in his performances, the soprano horn functions as his principal instrument. Modern jazz forms the core of his approach, yet klezmer, liturgical, and Hasidic traditional sources, together with rhythmic patterns from India and West Africa, shape the music to the same degree.
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1980, Zamir encountered the saxophone early and began lessons at age twelve. An initial hearing of Charlie Parker proved decisive, prompting a concentrated focus on music studies thereafter. He enrolled at a Tel Aviv high school that combined arts specialization with an intensive music curriculum. Beyond Charlie Parker, early listening encompassed Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Pat Metheny. Zamir assembled the trio Not for Sale and later broadened his listening; saxophonist and experimenter John Zorn left the strongest impression among those discoveries. Late in 1998 he moved to New York City, where he connected with percussionist Kevin Zubek and bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz to form SATLAH and also encountered established downtown figures including Zorn. Occasional collaborations followed with additional downtown musicians such as Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Marc Ribot, and Calvin Weston. SATLAH issued its self-titled debut on the Tzadik label in March 2000, featuring a guest appearance by Zorn; the follow-up Exodus appeared in 2001, succeeded by Children of Israel, which included guest saxophonists Anat Cohen, Paul Shapiro, Ned Rothenberg, Marty Ehrlich, and Doug Wiselman along with Zorn. In 2002 Zamir completed a B.A. in jazz performance at the New School. Recording activity ran parallel to touring throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He appeared at the Israel Festival in Jerusalem in 2003 and co-produced Great Jewish Music: Sasha Argov with Zorn. A tour of America alongside fellow Hasidic musician Matisyahu proved pivotal. Zamir resettled in Israel in 2004 and issued Zamir Sings (Pop!) on the Israeli Hatav Hashmini label, promptly attracting a broad listenership. An extensive European and American tour with Matisyahu took place in 2005.
Amen, released on 8th Note in Israel in 2006, earned worldwide recognition and became the best-selling jazz album in the country’s history; its success secured Zamir an opening slot for Sting at Ramat Gan Stadium before a crowd exceeding 44,000. The quartet date I Believe arrived on Tzadik in 2008, featuring sidemen Uri Caine, Joey Baron, and Greg Cohen. Within Israel, Zamir’s reach extended past typical jazz audiences, generating frequent studio and stage collaborations with leading pop figures including Eviatar Banai, Yoni Rechter, Shlomo Gronich, Berry Sakharof, Ehud Banai, Amir Benayoun, and Danny Sanderson. Hatav Hashmini issued One in 2009 and Missing Here in 2010; both reached the top of the national jazz charts. Zamir received the Prime Minister Award for composition in 2010. Song for Comfort, an octet session featuring Matisyahu among its guests, appeared on Israel’s High Fidelity label in 2012. He returned to Tzadik for the septet recording Redemption Songs in 2015 and followed it with the quartet album Forth and Back on Germany’s Jazzhaus label a year later.
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1980, Zamir encountered the saxophone early and began lessons at age twelve. An initial hearing of Charlie Parker proved decisive, prompting a concentrated focus on music studies thereafter. He enrolled at a Tel Aviv high school that combined arts specialization with an intensive music curriculum. Beyond Charlie Parker, early listening encompassed Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Pat Metheny. Zamir assembled the trio Not for Sale and later broadened his listening; saxophonist and experimenter John Zorn left the strongest impression among those discoveries. Late in 1998 he moved to New York City, where he connected with percussionist Kevin Zubek and bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz to form SATLAH and also encountered established downtown figures including Zorn. Occasional collaborations followed with additional downtown musicians such as Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Marc Ribot, and Calvin Weston. SATLAH issued its self-titled debut on the Tzadik label in March 2000, featuring a guest appearance by Zorn; the follow-up Exodus appeared in 2001, succeeded by Children of Israel, which included guest saxophonists Anat Cohen, Paul Shapiro, Ned Rothenberg, Marty Ehrlich, and Doug Wiselman along with Zorn. In 2002 Zamir completed a B.A. in jazz performance at the New School. Recording activity ran parallel to touring throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He appeared at the Israel Festival in Jerusalem in 2003 and co-produced Great Jewish Music: Sasha Argov with Zorn. A tour of America alongside fellow Hasidic musician Matisyahu proved pivotal. Zamir resettled in Israel in 2004 and issued Zamir Sings (Pop!) on the Israeli Hatav Hashmini label, promptly attracting a broad listenership. An extensive European and American tour with Matisyahu took place in 2005.
Amen, released on 8th Note in Israel in 2006, earned worldwide recognition and became the best-selling jazz album in the country’s history; its success secured Zamir an opening slot for Sting at Ramat Gan Stadium before a crowd exceeding 44,000. The quartet date I Believe arrived on Tzadik in 2008, featuring sidemen Uri Caine, Joey Baron, and Greg Cohen. Within Israel, Zamir’s reach extended past typical jazz audiences, generating frequent studio and stage collaborations with leading pop figures including Eviatar Banai, Yoni Rechter, Shlomo Gronich, Berry Sakharof, Ehud Banai, Amir Benayoun, and Danny Sanderson. Hatav Hashmini issued One in 2009 and Missing Here in 2010; both reached the top of the national jazz charts. Zamir received the Prime Minister Award for composition in 2010. Song for Comfort, an octet session featuring Matisyahu among its guests, appeared on Israel’s High Fidelity label in 2012. He returned to Tzadik for the septet recording Redemption Songs in 2015 and followed it with the quartet album Forth and Back on Germany’s Jazzhaus label a year later.
Albums
