Tovy Meshoulam's Reviews

Born in 1956, Israeli composer Tovy Meshoulam graduated in composition at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and holds a Master’s degree in composition from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In addition, Meshoulam is a graduate of wind orchestra conducting studies from the Tel-Aviv Music Academy, and was awarded 5 full scholarships as a trombone player and 3 full scholarships as a Jazz arranger from the America-Israel Culture Foundation.

Meshoulam has completed external studies of the Boston (U.S.A) “Berklee School of Music” in harmony, orchestration and big band arranging, and studies of three advanced courses in Jazz composition directed in Israel by the eminent American musician Herb Pomeroy.

Tovy Meshoulam served as lead trombone player in the Israel Defence Forces Orchestra and has freelanced for 20 years in all possible musical fields: in classical orchestras – The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, The Jerusalem Broadcasting Authority Symphony Orchestra, The Israeli Chamber Orchestra, The New Israeli Opera etc.; in radio and TV shows; in theatre musical productions and in many albums by top Israeli artists.

As a Jazz musician, Meshoulam played lead trombone for 10 years in the Tel-Aviv big-band, and in the Jazz ensemble “Front Drive” – awarded best band in the 1st Red Sea International Jazz Festival. In 1990 Meshoulam established the 10 piece Jazz ensemble “Acoustics”, performing his arrangements, which was recorded and published by “JAZZIS” in 1992.

Tovy Meshoulam kept his classical background, and was a part of the “Philharmonic Trombone Quartet”, which included the trombone section of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, he established a trombone quartet with three of his senior students. This ensemble has recorded 2 albums, which express Meshoulam’s capabilities as a bandleader, composer and arranger. The quartet was awarded scholarships from the America-Israel Culture Foundation and “EITAN” (Israeli Union of Wind Orchestra Conductors), and was chosen to perform the premiere of the known Israeli composer Haim Alexander’s “At Adama” in Jerusalem.

For over 25 years Tovy Meshoulam has been a conductor and music educator. He sees a great importance in bequeathing the big-band legacy to young players. As part of this vision he initiated the establishment of Israeli big-bands in high schools, conservatories and in “MATAN” (The National Youth Orchestra). His wind ensemble of the “Katzir” high school, where he serves as head of the music department, was twice chosen to perform at the “Mann” auditorium as guest of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.

The culmination of Tovy Meshoulam’s activity as a composer, arranger, musical director and trombone player is well expressed in his four albums:

“Acoustics”, Meshoulam’s first album published in 1992, presents a Jazz group of ten: 5 saxophones, 2 trumpets, trombone, bass and drums (without any harmonic instruments). The album contains 10 original arrangements by Meshoulam for the works of the greatest Jazz players of all times (Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, Horace Silver, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock and others) and of several Israeli composers.

“’Eternally Spontaneous”, Meshoulam’s second album published in 1994, includes only Israeli jazz compositions, all arranged by Tovy Meshoulam, and presents the very best Jazz musicians in Israel. This album travels through the many facets of Jazz: Modal Jazz, Serial Jazz, Latin Jazz, and Jazz-Rock.

Tovy Meshoulam’s third album “Slide By Slide” was published in 1998. It introduces the Tovy Meshoulam Trombone Quartet and includes Jazz compositions and arrangements by world known composers Slide Hampton, Jack Gale, Bill Reichenbach, Lennie Niehouse, Ingo Luis and others.

The fourth album by Meshoulam, “The Seventh Dimension” published in 2001, also presents the Tovy Meshoulam Trombone Quartet. Here, Meshoulam composes almost all works especially for this quartet, highlighting the uniqueness of this ensemble.

About Tovy Meshoulam Born in 1956, Israeli composer Tovy Meshoulam graduated in composition at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and holds a Master’s degree in composition from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In addition, Meshoulam is a graduate of wind orchestra conducting studies from the Tel-Aviv Music Academy, and was awarded 5 full scholarships as a trombone player and 3 full scholarships as a Jazz arranger from the America-Israel Culture Foundation. Meshoulam has completed external studies of the Boston (U.S.A) “Berklee School of Music” in harmony, orchestration and big band arranging, and studies of three advanced courses in Jazz composition directed in Israel by the eminent American musician Herb Pomeroy. Tovy Meshoulam served as lead trombone player in the Israel Defence Forces Orchestra and has freelanced for 20 years in all possible musical fields: in classical orchestras – The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, The Jerusalem Broadcasting Authority Symphony Orchestra, The Israeli Chamber Orchestra, The New Israeli Opera etc.; in radio and TV shows; in theatre musical productions and in many albums by top Israeli artists. As a Jazz musician, Meshoulam played lead trombone for 10 years in the Tel-Aviv big-band, and in the Jazz ensemble “Front Drive” – awarded best band in the 1st Red Sea International Jazz Festival. In 1990 Meshoulam established the 10 piece Jazz ensemble “Acoustics”, performing his arrangements, which was recorded and published by “JAZZIS” in 1992. Tovy Meshoulam kept his classical background, and was a part of the “Philharmonic Trombone Quartet”, which included the trombone section of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, he established a trombone quartet with three of his senior students. This ensemble has recorded 2 albums, which express Meshoulam’s capabilities as a bandleader, composer and arranger. The quartet was awarded scholarships from the America-Israel Culture Foundation and “EITAN” (Israeli Union of Wind Orchestra Conductors), and was chosen to perform the premiere of the known Israeli composer Haim Alexander’s “At Adama” in Jerusalem. For over 25 years Tovy Meshoulam has been a conductor and music educator. He sees a great importance in bequeathing the big-band legacy to young players. As part of this vision he initiated the establishment of Israeli big-bands in high schools, conservatories and in “MATAN” (The National Youth Orchestra). His wind ensemble of the “Katzir” high school, where he serves as head of the music department, was twice chosen to perform at the “Mann” auditorium as guest of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. The culmination of Tovy Meshoulam’s activity as a composer, arranger, musical director and trombone player is well expressed in his four albums: “Acoustics”, Meshoulam’s first album published in 1992, presents a Jazz group of ten: 5 saxophones, 2 trumpets, trombone, bass and drums (without any harmonic instruments). The album contains 10 original arrangements by Meshoulam for the works of the greatest Jazz players of all times (Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, Horace Silver, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock and others) and of several Israeli composers. “’Eternally Spontaneous”, Meshoulam’s second album published in 1994, includes only Israeli jazz compositions, all arranged by Tovy Meshoulam, and presents the very best Jazz musicians in Israel. This album travels through the many facets of Jazz: Modal Jazz, Serial Jazz, Latin Jazz, and Jazz-Rock. Tovy Meshoulam’s third album “Slide By Slide” was published in 1998. It introduces the Tovy Meshoulam Trombone Quartet and includes Jazz compositions and arrangements by world known composers Slide Hampton, Jack Gale, Bill Reichenbach, Lennie Niehouse, Ingo Luis and others. The fourth album by Meshoulam, “The Seventh Dimension” published in 2001, also presents the Tovy Meshoulam Trombone Quartet. Here, Meshoulam composes almost all works especially for this quartet, highlighting the uniqueness of this ensemble.