The center for Jazz studies was established by the late Amit Golan.
Jazz Program director: Kobi Solomon
Post high-school Jazz program in association with New School New York: Matan Chapnizki

• Jazz studies for children and youth
• The post high-school jazz program, with the option to proceed to academic studies at the New School university New York.
• The Israeli Big Band, Tel Aviv.
• Jazz classes for non-professional adults.
• Jazz piano workshop under the guidance of Alec Katz
• Jazz concerts.

Jazz department for children and youth.

Program Head – Kobi Solomon
Students come from every region in Israel.  The faculty comprises first-rate musicians, most of whom have studied in the United States and performed with legendary musicians of the New York scene.
The Center’s objectives are to teach students the fundamentals of Jazz and guide them in their exploration of the Jazz tradition and its celebrated legends, from the early days of Jazz up to today’s contemporary Jazz.  In addition to private lessons, the Center offers improvisational workshops, Jazz bands, world music ensembles and big band.  Students may combine classical music studies with their Jazz studies to enrich their musical world.  Many students give their senior recital, win competitions, gain scholarships, serve as distinguished IDF musicians, and continue their studies in the collaborative academic program with The New School, or other leading music academies in the world.  The Center’s bands have won prizes in important international competitions.
The faculty comprises of first-rate musicians, most of whom have studied in the United States and performed with renowned musicians of the New York scene.
The department functions within the framework of the Center for Jazz Studies, established by the late Amit Golan. The Center also offers advanced studies: the Jazz Studies Program in cooperation with The New School for Jazz and contemporary music in New York.
The Center for Jazz Studies holds concert series, workshops and master classes with leading musicians from Israel and overseas.

Here’s a little taste of one of the young ensembles:

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The Post High-School jazz program, offering opportunity to proceed to academic studies at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (New York).

Program Head – Matan Chapnizki
Matan Chaptizki: matan@icm.org.il
Dorli Faibush: dorli.jazz@icm.org.il
“The New School” (New York) website

The program is recognized by the Ministry of Defense’s “Personal deposit” program.

The Program was founded in 2009 by the late Amit Golan and Michal Abramov.
The four year academic track enables outstanding jazz musicians to study in Israel  for the first two years, according to the New School studies program, followed by two additional years at the New School for Jazz and contemporary music in New York City, for the completion of the  BFA degree in jazz Performance from the New School.
The program is designed for a total of about 50 students – 25 in each school year, all of whom must meet the high standards of admission.

“The New School” awards a BFA degree to students who complete a minimum of 128 credits of study during the course of four years. Students who successfully complete two years of study in Israel receive all the credits for their studies in Israel, which amounts to half of the credits required for the completion of the BFA degree at the “New School” New York.

The “New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music” is considered one of the leading schools worldwide.  Its notable alumni include Avishai Cohen, Brad Mehldau, Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, and many others. Its unique approach enables students to study with legendary musicians from the NYC jazz scene such as, Billy Harper, Jim Hall, Junior Mance and Jimmy Cobb to name just a few.

A taste from one of our recent “End of semester” Ensemble Marathons

Costin Canellis Olier, Director of the Israel Conservatory of music

Excellence is one of the most significant emblems of the Israel Conservatory of Music since its inception in 1945 by Eden Partosh, to this day.  In this spirit the Center for Jazz Studies at the Conservatory fits in the educational and cultural setting, while preserving teaching quality and preparing the young musicians to the exciting encounter with the magical world of music

The Vision of the Late Amit Golan, Founder of the Program

Since his return to Israel in 1995, Amit Golan dreamed of creating a small but outstanding center for jazz education. The model created by the founder of the New School Jazz program, Arnie Lawrence, based mainly on playing music and being tutored by preeminent masters, is a source of inspiration for the nature and values of The Center for Jazz Studies.

The Late Erez Bar Noy – Director of the Center for Jazz Studies between 2011-2019

“My studies at the New School marked a high point in my development as a jazz musician, and I’m delighted to take part in bringing the spirit of the New School to the new Center for Jazz Studies in Israel. We offer our students a learning experience at a small institution with the best musicians of the Israeli and international jazz scene, Master Classes with guest artists, diverse ensembles, jazz music from sangers to world music, from traditional jazz which we underscore to modern jazz.
I am confident that our students will continue to excel in their musical achievements in New York, and will become an integral part of the international jazz scene.”

Avishai Cohen – acclaimed Israeli bass player and New School graduate

“The Center for Jazz Studies at the Israel Conservatory of Music in its new format will undoubtedly constitute a new environment, revitalized and inspiring. I wish this format existed when I was a young student in Israel. This is a significant and candid initiative to offer a framework to a group of dedicated students who chose to focus on jazz studies.
The teaching faculty ensures the highest level of guidance and inspiration to enable the best possible progress for each student. I wholeheartedly support this initiative, and embrace every step of this new approach.

Martin Mueller, Executive Director Emeritus, The New School For Jazz and Contemporary Music N.Y.C.:

“I am most impressed with the talent of the fine young jazz artists coming from Israel and especially proud of our alumni there who are in new vanguard of jazz creation and education. This strong new academic collaboration will only deepen the bond through jazz between New York City and Israel Center for Jazz Studies and the New School. I am convinced that this partnership will encourage and support the development of the next generation of jazz artist who will make a major contribution to the world of jazz”.

The late Jimmy Cobb, Legendary jazz drummer:

“Just recently I had the opportunity to travel across the world to perform in Israel and teach at the Center for Jazz Studies of the Israel Conservatory of Music Tel Aviv. I was pleasantly surprised to find a group of very talented young people focused, incredibly musical and so interested in the American art form we call Jazz.  I pay tribute to my old friend and colleague Arnie Lawrence who founded the program. Arnie recognized the best part of the music, the history, and the players and passed over a legacy to his friend and colleague Amit Golan to continue his vision and carry on the Message…Jazz from The New School in NYC to Tel-Aviv and throughout Israel.”

The Israeli Big Band, Tel Aviv

Conductor and Musical Director: Danny Rosenfeld

The Israel Big Band is a dynamic, stimulating band comprising of the best young talents in the Israeli jazz scene. The band was established by Danny Rosenfeld in 2005 within the framework of the Jazz Department at the Israel Conservatory of Music, Tel Aviv. Throughout the years Avi Leibovitz, Yuval Cohen also served as conductors.

Since its establishment the Big Band has performed in festivals and clubs all over the country, and hosted leading international Jazz stars such as the legendary contrabass musician Reggie Workman, The trumpet player Joe Magnarelli, the saxophone player Joel Frahm, the pianist Mulgrew Miller, saxophone player Anat Cohen. The Big Band equally hosted the best Israeli jazz musicians, such as the vibraphone musician Gil Sorin, Trombone musician Jonathan Voltzok, saxophone player the late Erez Bar Noy, Guitar player Offer Ganor, as well as Alon Oleartchik and Marina Maximilian Blumin.

Vision and Essence

The Big Band is a unique project in the Israeli Jazz scene and to an extent also in the global scene. Its unique repertoire includes pieces from different styles and periods, yet a great emphasis is given to the touchstones – the “golden era” of the Big Bands. Among them one can find jazz legends from the swing era like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, Woodie Herman, Jimmy Lansford, Billy Ekstein, Dizzy Gillespie and Tadd Dameron.

Previous Performances in Festivals

• The Big Band orchestra, conductor Danny Rosenfeld, performed at the Red Sea Jazz Festival 2009
• The Big Band orchestra, conductor Danny Rosenfeld, performed at the Red Sea Jazz Festival 2009
  On August 23 2009, in the festive opening night of the festival, in the program of swing and bi-bop that presented the best hits from the “swinging at the Savoy” era, the Band was joined by the guest musicians Jonathan Voltzok – trombone, and Gil Sorin – vibraphone.
• In the Swinging Nights show conducted by Avi Leibovitz, the Big Band orchestra hosted Marina Maximilian Blumin at the Givatayim Jazz Festival 2010. The show took place on 7.5.2010
• The Big Band orchestra, conductor Avi Leibovitz hosted the saxophone player Erez Bar Noy and guitar player Offer Ganor, at the 2010 Israel Festival. The event took place on 2.6.2010
• The Band hosted Anat Cohen at the central concert of the Givatayim Jazz Festival, which consisted of special arrangements presenting Anat Cohen in diverse and impressive styles.
• A special evening with Alon Oleartchik at the Jazz Festival Ramat Hagolan.
• At the 2018 Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, celebrating 60 years to Count Basie’s legendary album “Atomic Basie,” the Big Band played the entire album in its original arrangements, and hosted Alon Oleartchik.
• In February 2024 the Big Band took part in Arnon Palti’s orchestra’s seminar at Beit Hayotzer.
• In June 2024 the Big Band led a swing dancing evening in cooperation with the ‘Swing It’ school at the Conservatory.

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Watch the Big Band joined by the Conservatory String orchestra:

 Jazz classes for adult amateurs

New at the adult music studies – jazz ensembles.
Are you looking for partners for ensemble playing? Playing together is magical. It gives satisfaction, develops listening capabilities, communication, giving and receiving.
Realize your love for jazz in weekly playing sessions, under the guidance of professional instructors who are the best in their field.

The jazz ensembles program is open to performers in all instruments and for singers.

Schedule:
Fridays (morning or noon).
Mid-week (morning noon or evening) in coordination between participants and instructors.

Details: 8 weekly guided meetings of 75 minutes each. Concert at the end of the semester. The meetings will take place within 3 months of the first meeting.
Tuition Fees:
NIS 1650 per participant for 8 meetings and a concert, or 9 meetings without a concert.
10% reduction to senior citizens, soldiers in active duty and parents of Conservatory students.
5% reduction to participants in the individual track.
No double reductions.

Assignment to ensembles will be made according to the instrument and level of performance, while trying to take your preferences into consideration – please send a recording of two pieces of your own choice. If you have experience in jazz playing, one of the pieces should be a blues piece of 12 bars – playing and improvising.

 Existing ensembles that seek training can register as an ensemble.

Instructors of the ensembles are teachers of the Conservatory’s jazz department, teachers of the New School and the best teachers and musicians in this field.

To register please fill in the online form. Press here
למתעניינים – אנא מלאו את הטופס המקוון:  לחצו כאן
לאחר השיבוץ להרכב, להרשמה ותשלום מלאו את הטופס
(קליק עכבר ימני – “שמור קישור בשם”): טופס הרשמה,
ושילחו במייל למזכירות הקונסרבטוריון julia@icm.org.il

לשאלות, כתבו אימייל או ווטסאפ לדפנה יצחקי מנהלת המסלול
daphna@icm.org.il  \ 052-622-2454