Photo : dr
The Exiles of Israeli Jazzmen
Some musicians bloom far from home, others find their creative spark in returning to their roots. Experience an insightful journey through the nomadic lives of jazz legends and discover how geographical displacement leaves an indelible mark on their compositions.
ECUJE (Paris 10th)
About
On Thursday, January 28, 2027, the ECUJE in the 10th arrondissement hosts an evening dedicated to the artistic paths of Israeli jazz musicians. Guided by Alex Dutilh, you will explore the trajectories of artists like Anat Cohen, Omer Avital, and Yaron Herman, who have navigated between the United States, Paris, and Israel. This event examines how exile impacts identity, musical development, and career choices for these renowned musicians. The evening is open to attendees aged 18 and over, with tickets priced at 10 € for full admission and 5 € for concessions.
Anat Cohen, Omer Avital, Oded Tzur and Gilad Hekselman are still based in the United States. Yaron Herman and Yoni Zelnik chose Paris. Others, such as Avishai Cohen, Yonathan Avishai or Anat Fort, felt the need to return to Israel.
Through these trajectories, Alex Dutilh will tell a story of departures, learning, circulation and returns. An exploration of what exile transforms in a career, an identity and a music.
Our take on this event
The event titled Les exils des jazzmen israeliens, taking place on January 28, 2027, from 18:30 to 23:00, offers an in-depth look at the geographic mobility of modern jazz performers. Alex Dutilh explores the life choices of major figures, tracing the motivations behind the move to the United States for artists like Omer Avital, Oded Tzur, Gilad Hekselman, and Anat Cohen, compared to the choice made by Yaron Herman and Yoni Zelnik to settle in Paris.
The discussion also covers those who returned to Israel, such as Avishai Cohen, Yonathan Avishai, and Anat Fort. More than just a biographical survey, this session analyzes how the experience of exile shapes musical identity, stylistic evolution, and professional development. It is an essential meeting for jazz enthusiasts interested in the intersection of personal migration and artistic creation.
The session takes place at the ECUJE on Rue La Fayette and is strictly for guests aged 18 and above. Tickets are available for 10 € at the standard rate or 5 € for the reduced rate. Join this exploration of how global movement has fundamentally influenced the sound and stories of contemporary Israeli jazz.
