KADAWA
Almog Sharvit - Bass
Tal Yahalom - Guitar
Ben Silashi - Drums
Photo by Gal Shaya
“The sound is about joy and force in equal measure, full of hummable melodies and moments of proud combustion”
“They’re certainly jazz and of this era, they’re full of energy and have a multitude of things to say... they’re seriously craftsmen of songs, pulling from so many parts in their own instruments”
“A narrative full of surprises... There is something for all tastes and you’ll never get bored listening to KADAWA”
““KADAWA grooves with a vengeance on its 12-track self-titled debut...
A truly impressive album from a band that must blaze live”
Photo by noel woodford
In a world where daily life revolves around a screen and a finger, KADAWA gives their audience an ‘offline’ experience worth lifting their heads for. From ruthless improvisations and hard-driving grooves to intimate, harmonically-rich lullabies, KADAWA is on an everlasting quest to push themselves and their craft to new peaks, bring an end to global warming and find that perfect sweet spot between the serious and the humorous.
Based in New York City since 2014, the collective-trio of guitarist Tal Yahalom, double bassist Almog Sharvit and drummer Ben Silashi performs original music by all three members, confronting such issues as the increasing cost of living and the failing U.S. Health Care System, alongside emotional moving days, imaginary blizzards and other bizarre NYC experiences.
Drawing inspiration from avant-jazz, alternative rock and some of their favorite (and least favorite) cinema and literature, KADAWA creates song-like instrumental compositions driven by mood, story and sound. Constant rhythmic counterpoint, lyrical yet unorthodox melodies and elaborate arrangements are embedded in a raw aesthetic to make up some of the group’s signature trademarks (alongside awkward jokes, immense beards and receding hairlines).
photo by Noel Woodford
The three Israeli natives initially crossed paths at ‘The Center for Jazz Studies,’ Tel Aviv as part of a collaborative BFA program with the ‘New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music,’ New York. While each individual possessed a singular musical taste alongside a completely different background, they quickly discovered a mutual artistic approach, forming the first incarnation of the band in 2013 and performing throughout the country at well-known venues such as Levontin 7 and Beit Haamudim.
Dedicatedly working together ever since, the three relocated to NYC, graduating from the ‘New School’ with honors as well as receiving prestigious ‘AICF’ scholarships. They currently live in Brooklyn and regularly occupy the stage at many notable venues across the city, performing and producing shows at The Cornelia Street Cafe, Nublu, Rockwood Music Hall, Barbes, Threes Brewing, Bowery Electric and the like.
KADAWA has left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide while touring across Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, England, Scotland, USA and Israel, performing at major international festivals and stylistically diverse venues including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Jazzwerkstatt Bern, Jazzmeile Thüringen, Teatro CajaGRANADA, Vortex Jazz Club, Bunker Ulmenwall, The Jazz Bar, unTUBO, 23 Robadors and The Zone. Additionally, the band has taught masterclasses at some of the best music departments and conservatories in Israel, including ‘The Center for Jazz Studies,’ Tel Aviv, ‘Tichon Hadash’, Herzliya, ‘The Jezreel Valley Center for the Arts’ and ‘Thelma Yellin.’
In October 2017, KADAWA released its highly anticipated debut album, receiving praise from 'The New York Times', ‘All About Jazz’, 'Nextbop' (USA), 'The Vancouver Sun' (CA) and 'JazzFM' (UK), among other platforms.
The self-titled 12 track recording features a distinct array of all-original compositions with guest appearances by trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, trombonist Matt Bumgardner and keyboardist Micha Gilad, engineering by Ariel Shafir, mixing by Eivind Opsvik and mastering by Nate Wood. The album is currently available on Bandcamp, CD Baby and all leading digital retailers.
The band is set to record their 2nd studio album in June 2019.
