Alon Yavnai (; born 1969) is an Israel-born jazz pianist.
Biography Born in Israel, Yavnai began playing piano at the age of four. He has accompanied singers since the age of thirteen. He graduated from the Thelma Yellin High School for Arts, Givatayim Conservatory, both in Israel, and studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He won first place in the Great American Jazz Piano Competition. He taught at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Yavnai leads a trio and has worked in a duo with Paquito D'Rivera and in a trio with Mark Summer. He has also worked with Leny Andrade, Regina Carter, Jim Chapin, Ravi Coltrane, George Garzone, Louis Hayes, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano, Romero Lubambo, Bob Moses New York Voices, Rosa Passos, Rufus Reid, Claudio Roditi, and Nancy Wilson.
In 2008, Yavnai won a Grammy Award as a part of the Paquito D'Rivera Quintet for Best Latin Jazz Album (Funk Tango). Yavnai wrote the title track. In May 2008, Yavnai released his album Travel Notes which features solo pieces as well as trio pieces (with Omer Avital on bass and Jamey Haddad on percussion).
Discography As leader/co-leader Year recordedYear releasedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes2001?2001D.S. Al CodaWhaling City SoundMost tracks sextet, with George Garzone (tenor sax, soprano sax), Dino Govoni (tenor sax, flute), Avishai Cohen (trumpet, flugelhorn), Massimo Biolcati (bass), Take Toriyama (drums); some tracks with Michal Cohen (vocals), Baoz Nemet (darbouka) added2004?2005Picture ThisBon RapportMost tracks trio, with Massimo Biolcati (bass), Take Toriyama (drums); some tracks quartet, with Paquito D'Rivera (reeds) added20072008Travel NotesObliqSoundSome tracks solo piano; some tracks trio, with Omer Avital (bass), Jamey Haddad (percussion)2012Shir AhavaAlon YavnaiWith the NDR Big Band2016ReconnectGateway MusicDuo, co-led with Jesper Riis (trumpet)
As sideman Caribbean Jazz Project, Mosaic (Concord Picante, 2006) Paquito D'Rivera, Jazz Chamber Trio (Chesky, 2005) Paquito D'Rivera, Funk Tango (Sunnyside/Paquito, 2007) Nancy Wilson, Turned to Blue (MCG Jazz, 2006)
References
External links Official site Alon Yavnai at ObliqSound [ Alon Yavnai Discography] at allmusic