📜 Post with us on Reddit
📝 Create a new article
🏭 Create a company page
🇬🇧 - in English
🇫🇷 - en Français (FR)
🇵🇹 - em Português (PT)
🇩🇪 - auf Deutsch (DE)
🇯🇵 - 日本語で (JA)
Sponsored articles

You can edit almost every page by Creating an account and confirming your email.

Barak Mori

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki




Barak Mori
Barak Mori, 2024
Background information
Native name
ברק מורי
Born1975
Tel Aviv, Israel
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • composer
  • educator
Instruments
Years active1990s–present

Barak Mori (Hebrew: ברק מורי‎; born 1975) is an Israeli jazz double bassist, composer and educator. Born in Tel Aviv, he has been described by the Jerusalem Jazz Festival as "one of the most prominent and successful bassists to come out of Israel".[1] Active on the New York jazz scene from the late 1990s, he became known as a sought-after sideman, performing and recording with leading jazz artists including pianists Benny Green and Eric Reed, guitarist Peter Bernstein, trumpeter Marcus Printup, and vocalist Paula West.[2][3] He has also toured and recorded with singer Madeleine Peyroux and singer-pianist Peter Cincotti, co-writing the 2024 single "One Too Many" for Cincotti and actor Tony Danza,[4][5][6] and later became the bassist in trumpeter Avishai Cohen's quartet, appearing on the ECM albums Cross My Palm with Silver (2017), Naked Truth (2022) and Ashes to Gold (2024).[7][8][9][10]

After almost two decades in New York, Mori returned to Israel in the mid-2010s, settling again in Tel Aviv while continuing to perform internationally.[2] Since 2019 he has taught jazz bass and ensembles at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.[2] In 2024 he premiered his own quartet project Remember at the Jerusalem Jazz Festival, performing the original suite "Omri, My Omri" dedicated to his nephew Omri Ben Shachar, a paratrooper killed in the 2023–24 Israel–Hamas war.[11][1]

Early Life and Musical Formation

Mori was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1975.[2] He began playing the organ at age seven and by his early teens was playing jazz on guitar and electric bass.[2][3] At around 15 he started formal classical training on the acoustic double bass, while continuing his jazz studies.[2]

During his high-school years Mori attended the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts in Givatayim, where he was part of the school's jazz program.[2] By the time he graduated, he had already performed professionally at the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat and toured internationally with the Young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.[2][3]

In 1996, Mori joined a prominent Israeli jazz band led by American saxophonist Walter Blanding Jr., gaining early professional experience on the national scene.[2] In 1998 he moved to New York City after receiving a scholarship to study at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (New School University).[2][3] He completed his studies there while immersing himself in New York's jazz clubs and jam-session circuit.[2]

Career

Barak Mori performing, 2024. Photograph by Yossi Zwecker.

The New York period

From the late 1990s Mori became a regular presence on the New York jazz scene, where he was described in club and festival materials as "one of the [scene's] most sought after musicians".[2][3][12] He worked widely as a sideman with pianists David Hazeltine, Benny Green, Eric Reed and Ehud Asherie, trumpeter Marcus Printup, saxophonists Jim Rotondi and Anat Cohen, and drummers including Kenny Washington.[2][3]

Mori's early discography includes several albums with Reed and Rotondi on European and American jazz labels. He appears on Reed's albums Happiness (Nagel Heyer, 2001) and Merry Magic (Maxjazz, 2003),[13][14] and on Rotondi's Champagne Taste (Nagel Heyer, 2005) and 1000 Rainbows (Posi-Tone, 2010).[15][16] He also recorded with clarinetist Anat Cohen on Clarinetwork: Live at the Village Vanguard (Anzic, 2010).[17]

As a member of the New York-based septet Waverly Seven, with Cohen and trumpeter Avishai Cohen among others, Mori played on the double album Yo! Bobby! (Anzic, 2007), a tribute to singer Bobby Darin.[18] In 2003 he joined singer-pianist Peter Cincotti's touring band, appearing on Cincotti's album On the Moon (Concord, 2004) and touring internationally with the group.[19][3]

Mori became closely associated with jazz vocalist Paula West, recording with her on the live album Live at Jazz Standard (Hi Horse, 2012).[20] He later joined the touring trio of singer Madeleine Peyroux, with whom he recorded Secular Hymns (Impulse!/Verve, 2016).[21] A review of the album on All About Jazz highlighted the stripped-down trio of Peyroux, guitarist Jon Herington and "Israeli-born bassist Barak Mori", noting the intimate sound of the group.[22]

As a freelance bassist, Mori appeared regularly in Manhattan clubs such as Smalls Jazz Club and took part in festival and touring projects. A 2015 profile in The Jerusalem Post described him as an "Israeli and longtime New York-resident bassist" ahead of his appearance at the Red Sea Jazz Festival.[23]

The ECM Years with Avishai Cohen

Mori has had a long-running association with trumpeter Avishai Cohen, whom he first met as a teenager in Tel Aviv.[11] He joined Cohen's quartet in the mid-2010s, recording on Cross My Palm with Silver (ECM, 2017) and Naked Truth (ECM, 2022).[7][8] Cohen's later album Ashes to Gold (ECM, 2024), a suite for quartet and voice, again features Mori on double bass alongside pianist Yonatan Avishai and drummer Ziv Ravitz; an Israeli review in Ynet noted the same trio as on Naked Truth supporting Cohen's reflective compositions.[9][10]

Festival Appearances

Mori has appeared at major jazz festivals in Israel and abroad. In 2015 he was a featured leader at the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat, an engagement covered in the Jerusalem Post profile "Touching all the basses".[23] In 2024 he returned to Eilat as part of pianist Yoni Rechter's trio at the festival, with Ynet listing him on double bass alongside drummer Roni Kaspi.[24] Reviewing the festival for Haaretz, critic Ben Shalev remarked that Rechter's trio with Mori and Kaspi delivered a "fine" rendition of the song "זו אותה האהבה", while also commenting on the festival atmosphere.[25]

At the Jerusalem Jazz Festival, held annually at the Israel Museum, Mori has played both as a sideman and as a bandleader. He performed there with Cohen's quartet in 2016,[26] and has appeared in special festival projects including a tribute to composer Béla Bartók.[27] In 2024 he led his own Barak Mori Quartet at the festival with the program Remember, dedicated to his nephew Omri Ben Shachar.[1][11] The festival program notes emphasised his long New York career and collaborations with artists such as Madeleine Peyroux, Peter Cincotti, Eric Reed, Benny Green, Paula West, Eli Degibri, Keren Ann and Yoni Rechter.[1]

Return to Israel and Current Work

After nearly two decades based in New York, Mori moved his home base back to Israel in 2016.[2] In interviews he has stated that the decision was connected to family circumstances, including the need to be closer to his parents in Tel Aviv.[11] Since returning, he has continued to tour internationally while working regularly on the Israeli jazz scene with long-time collaborators such as Avishai Cohen and Eli Degibri.[2][11]

Mori joined the faculty of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance in 2019, teaching jazz double bass and ensemble courses.[2] The academy describes him as "one of the New York jazz scene's most sought after musicians since 1998" and notes his extensive recording and touring work with American and Israeli artists.[2] In addition to his work in Jerusalem, he has appeared in smaller concert settings and workshops, including duo performances with guitarist Yossi Levy and other Israeli musicians.[12]

In June 2024 Mori's quartet premiered the suite Remember at the Jerusalem Jazz Festival, with the central piece "Omri, My Omri" written in memory of his nephew, Master Sgt. Omri Ben Shachar, who was killed in Gaza in December 2023.[11][1] The Times of Israel described the composition as an emotional focal point of the program and reported that Mori first performed it at a family memorial gathering before adapting it for the festival stage.[11]

Mori has also remained active as a songwriter. In 2024 he co-wrote the song "One Too Many" with Peter Cincotti, a duet single for Cincotti and actor Tony Danza that was released digitally in August 2024.[4][5][28] Release credits list Cincotti and Mori as the songwriters, with Cincotti and Danza sharing vocals and Mori on bass.[4][6] Radio and local press coverage of Danza's performances have referred to "One Too Many" as his latest single with Cincotti.[29]

Musical Style

Mori is primarily known as an acoustic bassist, though he also plays electric bass and has worked across jazz, singer-songwriter and experimental settings.[2][1] His tone and time feel have been cited by bandleaders as reasons for his status as a dependable sideman.[3][12] The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance notes that he has been "one of the New York jazz scene's most sought after musicians since 1998".[2] In festival materials, the Jerusalem Jazz Festival calls him "one of the most prominent and successful bassists to come out of Israel".[1]

As a member of Madeleine Peyroux's touring trio, Mori's playing has been singled out in reviews for its supportive role within a sparse ensemble texture. In a review of Secular Hymns, All About Jazz highlighted Peyroux's decision to work with a minimal trio of voice, guitar and bass, with Mori providing the low-end foundation.[30]

In the Israeli press, his performances at the Red Sea Jazz Festival and the Jerusalem Jazz Festival have been covered in mainstream outlets including The Jerusalem Post, Haaretz and Ynet.[23][25][27][24] The Jerusalem Post profile ahead of his 2015 Red Sea appearance described his career path from Tel Aviv to New York and back, while underlining his versatility as both sideman and leader.[23] In a 2024 review of the Eilat festival, Haaretz mentioned his interplay with pianist Yoni Rechter and drummer Roni Kaspi as part of a trio reading of Israeli songs and jazz standards.[25] Promotional materials for jazz series such as the Sela Jazz Club at the Weizmann Institute have referred to him as "one of the most in-demand bass players in the world".[31]

Discography (selected)

With Avishai Cohen (trumpeter)

  • Cross My Palm with Silver (ECM, 2017)[7]
  • Naked Truth (ECM, 2022)[8]
  • Ashes to Gold (ECM, 2024)[9][10]

With Madeleine Peyroux

  • Secular Hymns (Impulse!/Verve, 2016)[32]

With Eric Reed

  • Happiness (Nagel Heyer, 2001)[33]
  • Merry Magic (Maxjazz, 2003)[34]

With Peter Cincotti

  • On the Moon (Concord, 2004)[35]
  • "One Too Many" (single, 2024) – with Tony Danza[5][4]

With Jim Rotondi

  • Champagne Taste (Nagel Heyer, 2005)[36]
  • 1000 Rainbows (Posi-Tone, 2010)[37]

With Anat Cohen

  • Clarinetwork: Live at the Village Vanguard (Anzic, 2010)[38]

With Waverly Seven

  • Yo! Bobby! (Anzic, 2007)[39]

With Paula West

  • Live at Jazz Standard (Hi Horse, 2012)[40]

Other appearances

  • Ehud Asherie – Modern Life (Posi-Tone, 2010)[41]
  • Maya Dunietz – Thank You Tree (Raw Tapes, 2023) – track "Sad In the Morning Bird Song Adventures Pt. 1" (feat. Amir Bresler & Barak Mori)[42]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Barak Mori Quartet – Remember". Jerusalem Jazz Festival. Israel Festival. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 "Barak Mori". Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Barak Mori". SmallsLive. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "One Too Many – Peter Cincotti". Shazam. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "One Too Many – Song by Peter Cincotti". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "'One Too Many' is out now". Instagram. Peter Cincotti. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cross My Palm with Silver – Avishai Cohen". ECM Records. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Naked Truth – Avishai Cohen". ECM Records. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Ashes to Gold – Avishai Cohen". ECM Records. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ben-Shalom, Ben (29 October 2024). "אבישי כהן המצוין מול אבישי כהן המעולה". Ynet (in עברית). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Steinberg, Jessica (18 June 2024). "Bassist Barak Mori to play blue notes at Jerusalem Jazz in memory of fallen nephew". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Jazz Duet: Yosi Levy and Barak Mori". Secret Tel Aviv. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Eric Reed – Happiness". Jazz Messengers. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Eric Reed – Merry Magic". Jazz Messengers. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Champagne Taste". Apple Music. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  16. ↑ "1000 Rainbows". Bandcamp. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  17. ↑ Hillman, Marcia (2010). "15th Anniversary of the Litchfield Jazz Festival". All About Jazz. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  18. ↑ Reiter, Brandt (3 June 2007). "Waverly Seven: Yo! Bobby!". All About Jazz. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "Peter Cincotti – On the Moon (program note)" (PDF). Cal Performances. 2004. p. 3. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Paula West – Live at Jazz Standard". All About Jazz. 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "Secular Hymns". Madeleine Peyroux Official Website. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  22. ↑ Eyles, John (10 September 2016). "Secular Hymns – Madeleine Peyroux". All About Jazz. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Davis, Barry (19 August 2015). "Touching all the basses". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Shamir, Roni (21 February 2024). "פסטיבל הג'אז באילת: קרן אן ואבישי כהן, רמי קלינשטיין וג'יין בורדו ומחווה לדובי לנץ". Ynet (in עברית). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Shalev, Ben (24 February 2024). "פסטיבל הג'ז באילת: השמש התגלתה והתגלתה". Haaretz (in עברית). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  26. ↑ "Jerusalem Jazz Festival 2016". Midnight East. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Shalev, Ben (27 June 2025). "פסטיבל הג'אז ירושלים: מחווה חלשה ל\"קצת אחרת\" - ופיצוי בהברקות אחרות". Haaretz (in עברית). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "One Too Many – Peter Cincotti & Tony Danza". Amazon Music. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  29. ↑ "Hollywood Icon Honored at Upstate New York Baseball Hall of Fame". WRRV. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  30. ↑ Eyles, John (10 September 2016). "Secular Hymns – Madeleine Peyroux". All About Jazz. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  31. ↑ "סדרת ג'אז בסלע". Culture at Sela – Weizmann Institute (in עברית). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  32. ↑ "Secular Hymns". Madeleine Peyroux Official Website. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  33. ↑ "Eric Reed – Happiness". Jazz Messengers. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  34. ↑ "Eric Reed – Merry Magic". Jazz Messengers. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  35. ↑ "Peter Cincotti – On the Moon (program note)" (PDF). Cal Performances. 2004. p. 3. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  36. ↑ "Champagne Taste". Apple Music. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  37. ↑ "1000 Rainbows". Bandcamp. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  38. ↑ Hillman, Marcia (2010). "15th Anniversary of the Litchfield Jazz Festival". All About Jazz. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  39. ↑ Reiter, Brandt (3 June 2007). "Waverly Seven: Yo! Bobby!". All About Jazz. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  40. ↑ "Paula West – Live at Jazz Standard". All About Jazz. 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  41. ↑ "Modern Life – Ehud Asherie". All About Jazz. 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  42. ↑ "Thank You Tree". Raw Tapes Records. Retrieved 6 December 2025.

External links


Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Tel Aviv Category:Israeli jazz double-bassists Category:Israeli expatriates in the United States


This article "Barak Mori" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Barak Mori. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.


Retrieved from "https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Barak_Mori&oldid=5524817"
License CC BY-SA 3.0
Powered by MediaWiki