“This band is killer . . . timeless.”
- The New York Times

“The music sailed intensively in a universal space with influences of Monk, Jazz Messengers, Latino, Jewish Klezmer and Mingus style Tijuana beat, funk and dub . . .”
- Ma’ariv (major Israeli daily)

Almost ten years ago in Barcelona, a unique brotherhood was formed that we now know as the super-group, Third World Love. Trumpeter Avishai Cohen (“an assertive and accomplished trumpeter with a taste for modernism”, The New York Times), pianistYonatan Avishai (“Genius pure and simple”, Ha’ir), bassist Omer Avital (“knocking fresh slang out of the bass . . . some of the most original music being heard in New York”, The New York Times), and drummer/percussionist Daniel Freedman (whose drumming retains a sumptuous authenticity, as if he learned everything from the dusty street of some South America or Africa urban center”, Modern Drummer), came together for a one time tour, that swiftly transformed into a regular recording/touring group that carries with them the massive appeal of a band that you feel proud to declare yourself a fan of; the type of band that you can easily identify within seconds of hearing them.

Throughout Israel and Europe Third World Love routinely plays for large crowds (often a thousand plus strong) of mostly young people dancing and partying; not your typical jazz scenario – but actually a very exciting part of the perpetual story of jazz and “world” music; reminiscent of the rambunctious, out-for-a-good-time crowds that jazz musicians entertained in another era. Third World Love is a band that is generating excitement for jazz amongst a new generation of fans with a distinctive brand of music that is a blast to get into, physically and/or intellectually. Time Out Tel-Avivput it succinctly, “Forget what you thought about jazz . . . Never in my life have I seen so many people moving to the sounds of such complicate melodies and harmonies. When the music is created on stage, there is no choice but to listen, shake your ass and notice how your stupid smile is getting bigger and bigger every second.”

Thirty seconds into the first tune they ever played together (Wayne Shorter’s “Juju”) and the guys became aware that this was going to be a “dream-band” type of experience. It has proven to be that and more. In addition to numerous sol-out tours, Third World Love has released four highly successful recordings, Third World Love Songs, Avanim, Sketch of Tel Aviv, and New Blues (Anzic, 2008). Three of its members originate from Israel, where the band enjoys a level of fame approaching rock-star status, and one from New York, Daniel Freedman. With the band continuing to make inroads into the U.S. scene with their second U.S. tour touching down in San Francisco and NYC this Spring, the music on Songs and Portraits is sure to captivate current fans and recruit new Third World Love enthusiasts in great numbers.