www.itaikriss.com

Itai Kriss is a young dynamic flutist whose musical style encompasses both Jazz and Latin sounds. Born in Israel to a British father and a South African mother Itai started playing flute when he was 9. Alongside private lessons, he broadened his knowledge of music in general and jazz in particular in the jazz streams of the Tel Aviv School for the Arts (’90-’94) and the prestigious Telma Yellin High School for the Arts (94-97).

In 2000 Itai spearheaded ‘Sababa’, a jazz combo that won a competition conducted by Jerusalem Municipality for promising young musicians and composers. The prize was studio time that produced an exciting album of the same name featuring six of Itai’s original compositions. Some of these were influenced by the Middle Eastern music that is another important part of Itai’s musical background.

In addition to releasing his first album , Itai's work in Israel included accompanying American pianist Jon Regen in concerts in Israel in early 2001. An important result of this encounter was Regen’s live performance ‘Tel Aviv’ CD. Itai’s work on this album received glowing reviews.
“..excellent solo work from Kriss” --Barnes and Nobles.

In January 2002 Itai toured the United States as part of a unique musical peace expedition headed by reknowned saxophonist Arnie Lawrence--an ensemble of leading Jewish and Arab Israeli musicians, performing at various venues in Los Angeles, Miami and New York. Later that month he was again invited to play at New York's Blue Note as a special guest.

Alongside his jazz work, Itai developed a passionate love for Latin music, playing, writing and arranging for local salsa bands ‘Tipico’ (Red Sea Jazz Festival, Eilat 2000) and ‘Sotolongo’ (‘Jazz Blues and Videotape Festival’, Tel Aviv, 2001).

Kriss currently resides in New York where he plays with several Latin Music bands including Timba sensation La Bola, Grupo Latin Vibe and his own production, Grupo CACHIMBA!, featuring the great Abraham Rodriguez. In addition Itai has played with some of the most exciting jazz musicians in town including Gregory Hutcinson,Harry Whitaker, Andy Gonzalez, Omer Avital, Yosvany Terry, Jon Benitez, Avishai Cohen, Jason Jackson, Eric McPhearson, Papo Pepin, Jimmy Bosch, Jason Lindner, Alon Yavnai, Joe Locke, Fabio Morgera and Antonio Hart a to name a few.

A selected list of venues Kriss has performed in includes the Blue Note,Birdland, S.O.B.s, 55 Bar, Carnegie Hall,Zinc Bar,Smalls,Fat Cat, Joe's Pub, Smoke,Nublu,Nuyorican Poets Cafe,Plan B, Cleopatra's Needle,St Nick's Pub and the Copa Cabana.

In 2008 Itai participated in a prestigious residency program for performers/composers - Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, the John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts national Jazz residency for emerging artists, where he worked closely with such jazz legends as Curtis Fuller, Nathan Davis and Dr. Billy Taylor, and performed his compositions on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.

In addition to numerous recording projects, Itai Kriss is currently involved in writing for and playing in a variety of ensembles including The Itai Kriss Quartet, Phonogenik Sextet , La Bola, and Grupo CACHIMBA!