Abate and Aaron Choulai back together again

Having taken Crown Melbourne Jazz 2007 by storm, Israeli-Ethiopian saxophonist and vocalist Abate once again joined with award-winning Australian jazz pianist and composer Aaron Choulai for a stunning one-off performance in Tel Aviv.

With his incredible saxophone playing and haunting vocals, Abate has been described by the Ha'aretz newspaper as 'The best thing that happened to Israeli jazz and maybe to Israeli music in general.' Aaron Choulai, awarded Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year in 2006, has equally been lauded by the critics, described by Rhythms magazine as '...that boy genius, Aaron Choulai'.

Abate is an expert on traditional Ethiopian and Jewish religious music who has widened his repertoire and influences by collaborating with a number of Israeli Jazz musicians, whilst Aaron is a composer, band leader, pianist and sometimes musical director, whose free-spirited compositions and fluid performances make him one of Australia’s most exhilarating and versatile young performers.

The concert, held at the Felicja Blumenthal Music Centre in late June and presented by AICE, was a unique opportunity to see and hear these two acclaimed musicians come together in one breathtaking performance.