Download A rising young Israeli musician, trombonist and composer Rafi

Composer and trombonist Rafi Malkiel, originally from Israel, is an active musician in both the
Jazz and Latin scenes in New York City. Leading his quintet, Rafi plays original compositions, as well as
unique arrangements fusing Jazz and Latin-American standards with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The Rafi
Malkiel Quintet performs extensively in venues such as the 92 Street Y, The Corcoran Gallery of Arts in
Washington, D.C. and The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. The group was featured in 2005 in the outreach
program of the 92 Street Y performing for young audiences totaling more than 4000 students.
He was cited in the Recommended Jazz Trombonists list in PBS’ website Jazz, a film by Ken
Burns, as well as in The Young Guns of Jazz, trumpeting the best of a new generation, by Chip Deffaa in
the New York Post, July 2001.
Rafi plays with Willie Colon, Jason Lindner’s Big Band and with Grammy-nominated Colombian
singer Toto La Momposina, and he participated in Reggie Workman’s John Coltrane Africa Brass Live
project. He has played in New York City in venues such as Madison Square Garden, Radio City, Town
Hall, Symphony Space, the Carlyle Hotel with Bobby Short, Sweet Basil, SOB’s, and Small’s. Rafi has
performed in the Broadway shows The Color Purple, A Chorus Line and in the Tony-award winning
musical Urinetown. He has performed in numerous festivals around the world such as the JVC Jazz
Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Summer Stage, WOMAD festivals in Greece, New Zealand, and
Australia, the Sydney Festival in Australia, and the Red Sea International Jazz Festival in Israel.
Rafi has recorded over forty Jazz, Latin, and Rock albums with notable artists such as Ray
Anderson, Salsa Picante, Toto La Momposina, Lauryn Hill, Reggae Master Beres Hammond and Loren
Schoenberg. He is also featured on several movie and TV theme songs in Israel including “Souvenirs”,
winner of first place in Doc-Aviv Festival and the Israeli Oscar for best documentary movie.
Rafi is releasing his debut solo album titled My Island in March 2007. The album features him as a
composer, arranger, band leader, trombone and euphonium player. It also features some of the best Jazz and
Latin musicians in New York City, including legendary bassist Andy Gonzalez, percussionist Anthony
Carrillo, tuba player Howard Johnson, clarinetist Anat Cohen and many more.
Please check the website for future performance www.Rafimalkiel.com
From the press:
“Some of the band’s excellent musicians made it happen — including … the trombonist Rafi Malkiel, who
soloed with loud confidence”
By BEN RATLIFF, May 17, 2007. New York Times
“Rafi Malkiel leads a versatile ensemble with unique instrumentation (trombone/euphonium with
bassoon, clarinet, tenor sax, a non-doubling flute player - a rarity in itself, two percussionists, piano,
acoustic bass, and drums) with a far-ranging repertoire that at its base never strays too far away from the
Latin-related rhythms of Cuba and South America that ultimately serve as the binding element to his fresh
group concept that plays music as danceable as it is listenable. I'm glad I finally had a chance to sit down
and listen to this new fantastic debut CD which will surely be a forerunner for Best Latin Jazz release
come the end of this year, even though it offers so much more than what is customarily expected from this
generic category label. And hearing the band live reveals even more...Thanks so much for the music and
for releasing this unique CD that already sticks out amongst the masses.“
Laurence Donohue-Greene, Managing Editor, All About Jazz-New York 4/6/07
”Nineteen musicians are heard on Rafi's impressive debut album, My Island, but his trombone is the
standout voice. Israeli by birth, he's played Broadway shows, film soundtracks, overseas festivals and a
bunch of concerts around town. His primary interest these days lies in Latin sounds. Catch him all over
town this month.”
Paul Blair, Hot House Magazine, Featured Artists April Issue
“Terrific, buy this one! Check out the fabulous work of Rafi Malkiel on euphonium!”
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“…blasting bombardino solos by Refael Malkiel”
Rock Paper Scissors, La Cumbiamba eNeye, Matrioneta CD Review, Chonta Records
11.22.2006
“The superb Rafi Malkiel Quintet’s program of music by Jewish American composers…”
Masha Leon, The Jewish Daily Forward, 1.14.2005
“On behalf of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, I extend our warmest appreciation for your outstanding
concert here. Our audience was delighted by your performance and absolutely raved about the concert.”
Janet W. Solinger, Vice President, Public Programs, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
12.4.2004