Avi's Jam-Session

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Avi Rothbard: Guitarist, Composer

Avi Rothbard was born and raised in Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, Israel. At the age of 11 he started playing the mandolin, and then switched to electric bass. When Avi turned 15 the electric guitar became his principal instrument, and started mastering the Blues and various Latin-American styles. After being exposed to the masters of Jazz guitar, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, and later Wes Montgomery, it became clear that Jazz was Avi's ultimate tool of expression.

Avi Rothbard played his first professional gig at the age of 17. After the IDF military service, he moved to Jerusalem and started studying at the Rubin Academy of Music. During this period Avi was exposed to the local music scene and became involved in many projects, including Boris Gammer's `Eight Till Late' (performing in the International Red Sea Jazz Festival (Eilat), many collaborations with bassist Avishai Cohen and with pianist Avi Adrian.

Avi Rothbard was awarded a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music and made the decision to move Boston. During his time at Berklee he won major awards, scholarships, and prizes all along the period of his studies, including the Jimmy Hendrics Award and the Boston Jazz Society Award for 1997. Avi has toured the world with numerous ensembles, as a leader as well as a sideman, with artists such as Billy Pierce, Darren Barrett, Hal Crook, Bob Moses and Phil Wilson. He has performed on some of the most prestigious stages, such as the JVC Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, and Juan Le Pinnes Jazz Festival (France) among many others.

On the recommendation of Uri Caine and Peter Bernstein, Avi Rothbard moved to New York, sharing the bandstand with some of the best musicians in the city. Avi began building a name for himself in the jazz scene performing with the saxophonist Bill Saxton, Brad Leali, Greg Tardy, Vincent Ector, Wayne Escoffrey, Gerald Hayes, Dave Gibson and Sugar-Hill Jazz Quartet.

Guest appearances with Cotton Club All-star Band and Preacher Robins.

Presently Avi Rothbard is performing with his own organ trio, including some of the most talented organists and drummers in NYC. He combines his Israeli background with a broad knowledge of American music, creating innovative sound with a fresh application harmony and rhythm in his compositions.

Avi can be regularly seen in some of the most exciting jazz bars in uptown Manhattan, including St. Nicks Pub, Jesse's Place, Robin's Nest and Showman's.