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Itai Kriss, a Grammy nominated recording artist praised by Jazzwax as “one of the most exciting new flutist-composers” on the scene, commands a variety of musical genres with an eclectic style infused with Jazz, Latin and Middle Eastern sounds.

According to Downbeat Magazine, there is a “tangy, exotic flavor” to the New York musician’s style, which can be heard on his debut album, The Shark (2010) as well as on his subsequent releases TELAVANA (2018) and SUPERMOON (2021). The Shark features Kriss’ “soaring technique and phrasing that is both aggressive and pastoral,” which displays the versatility of his command of the flute, shifting through genres from funk and reggae to salsa and Arabic stylings with fluid ease.

After spending the past 20 years working at the forefront of New York City’s Jazz scene while performing, recording and touring with some of the world’s top Afro-Cuban, Latin and Salsa artists, flute virtuoso Itai Kriss fuses the sounds of his native Israel with those of his adopted homelands in the Americas to create TELAVANA. From the desert shores of Israel to the tropical beaches of Cuba, TELAVANA bridges the musical spheres of the Middle East and the Caribbean by combining Timba, Soul, North African music and Jazz to create a unique and lively mix of rhythms and textures.

When not touring and recording with likes of Orquesta Akokán, Dafnis Prieto, Brian Charette, Edmar Castañeda, Yemen Blues, Burning Spear, Los Hacheros, Pedrito Martinez, Omer Avital, Cuarteto Guataca, David Broza, Avishai Cohen, Eric McPherson & Elio Villafranca, Kriss performs regularly at premiere New York music venues including The Blue Note, Birdland, and Lincoln Center.

From The Press:

“..clearly a virtuoso..” (Nigel Williamson, Songlines, August 25, 2018)

“authentically beautiful melodies”
“[Kriss] plays with majestic virtuosity”
“Mr Kriss has matured into a musician who bestrides the two musical worlds of the Middle East and Latin America like a Colossus” (Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network August 23 2018)

“synthesizing and globetrotting”
“musical wanderlust” (Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz, September 12 2018)

“a musical synthesis as appealing and unforced as the cultural mix of the band” (Nate Chinen, WBGO.org, July 8 2018)

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Get your physical vinyl LP oF “All Aboard Vol. 1 Departures” here

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All Aboard Vol. 1 Departures

by Itai Kriss & Telavana

The third release from the multi-cultural ensemble Telavana celebrates the joy of travel while taking listeners on a musical journey from Morocco to Senegal, Egypt to Paris, all the way to the Caribbean isles and New York City.

In Kriss’ own words, “All Aboard is an album about travel and journeys, both physical and spiritual. Traveling to new places is one of the best ways for us to expand our horizons, to expose ourselves to points of view and ways of being other than our own and to experience reality through a different prism.”

Itai Kriss | Flute, Vocals Wayne Tucker | Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Ahmed Alom-Vega | Piano Tamir Shmerling | Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Vocals Dan Aran | Drums, Percussion, Vocals Samuel Torres | Congas, Percussion Special Guest: Amos Hoffman | Oud (Tracks 1 & 3), Electric Guitar (Tracks 5 & 7)

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Supermoon (2021)

by Itai Kriss & Telavana

Itai Kriss – flute
Wayne Tucker – trumpet and flugelhorn
César Orozco – piano & fender rhodes
Tamir Shmerling – bass
Marcos López – percussion
Dan Aran – drums

Special Guests:
Keisel Jimenez - vocals (on #3 Taurus)
Jonathan Hoard – vocals (on #7 Virgo)
Shai Maestro - keyboards and synths (on all tracks except #9 & #13)
Malaya Sol - backing vocals (on #3 Taurus)

All compositions by Itai Kriss
Recorded on February 1& 2 2020 at Big Orange Sheep Studios (NYC) by Michael Perez - Cizneros
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Darlington Album Art by Carolina Arevalo

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Telavana album

by Itai Kriss

Itai Kriss – flute and compositions
Michael Rodriguez – trumpet
César Orozco – piano
Or Bareket – bass
Marcos López – Percussion
Dan Aran – drums

Special Guests:

Yosvany Terry – chekere (on #2 Hong Kong Overture)
Tamer Pinarbasi – qanun (on #4 Shabazi)


All compositions by Itai Kriss except #3 Rak Beinatayim (composed by Nurit Hirsh, arranged by Itai Kriss)
Recorded on January 31st 2017 at Big Orange Sheep Studios (NYC) by Michael Perez - Cizneros
Mixed and mastered by Michael Perez – Cizneros
Album Art by Latin For Glory
Published by Itai Kriss Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved © 2018
Released 7/7/2018 on Avenue K Records

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Corazoncito Mío

by Itai Kriss ft. Jainardo Batista & Maria Raquel

Corazoncito Mío  - Itai Kriss ft. Jainardo Batista & Maria Raquel (Artlist 2022)

Itai Kriss - flute, tres, coro & compositions

Jainardo Batista - lead vocals and lyrics on “En La Brega”, “Clara en Silencio”, “Patron Indispensable” & coro on all tracks

Maria Raquel Vasquez Sandino -  lead vocals and lyrics on “La Casa”, “Corazoncito Mío”

Wayne Tucker -  trumpets & flugelhorns

Cesar Orozco - piano and coro

Marcos Lopez - congas, timbales, bongo, güiro, maracas

Tamir Shmerling - bass


1. En La Brega (composed and arranged by Itai Kriss, lyrics by Jainardo Batista)

2. La Casa (composed and arranged by Itai Kriss, lyrics by Maria Raquel)

3. Clara en Silencio (composed and arranged by Itai Kriss, lyrics by Jainardo Batista)

4. Corazoncito Mío (composed and arranged by Itai Kriss, lyrics by Maria Raquel)

5. Patrón Indispensable (composed and arranged by Itai Kriss, lyrics by Jainardo Batista)


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 upcoming shows :

Goodies

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VIDEOS

 
 

TELAVANA feat. Amos Hoffman

Itai Kriss & TELAVANA featuring Amos Hoffman and Elena Nayiri - Sagittarius (by Itai Kriss) Video by William Charles Moss | Callejero Films - Sound recording by Enrique Mancia

LOS HACHEROS

Los Hacheros at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series

TELAVANA feat. Malaya Sol

Itai Kriss & TELAVANA featuring Malaya Sol - Mucho Corazon (Composed by Ema Elena Valdelamar, arranged by Itai Kriss) Video by William Charles Moss | Callejero Films - Sound recording by Enrique Mancia

Havana Special

Itai Kriss & The Havana Special feturing Yuniel Jimenez perform La Malicia at Congahead Studios. Video and recording by Javier Raez and Martin Cohen

 

the shark

Debut Album With Aaron Goldberg, Omer Avital, Eric McPherson, Avishai Cohen and John Ellis

 

Itai Kriss Music News

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DISCOGRAPhY

ITAI KRISS & TELAVANA-

All Aboard Vol. 1 Departures

(Ave K Records 2024)

DANIEL MERON -Pendulum

(Pinch Records 2024)

MARIA RAQUEL-

Mucha Mujer

(Chulo Records 2023)

EDMAR CASTAÑEDA WORLD ENSEMBLE -Viento Sur

(Independent 2023)

MARTHA KATO -

Soluna

(Somethin’cool 2023)

CUARTETO GUATACA - Qué Talento

(Independent 2022)

ITAI KRISS FT. JAINARDO BATISTA & MARIA RAQUEL -

Corazoncito Mío

(Artlist 2022)

ITAI KRISS & TELAVANA-

Supermoon

(Ave K Records 2021)

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BRIAN CHARETTE - Power From The Air

(Steeplechase 2021)

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BRIAN MARSELLA - Gatos Do Sul

(Tzadik 2020)

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DAN ARAN -

New York Family

(Independent 2019)

EYAL VILNER BIG BAND-

Swing Out!

(Independent 2019)

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TEYMUR PHELL - Master Volume

(Independent 2019)

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CAFE DEL MAR -

Terrace Mix 9

(Cafe Del Mar Music 2019)

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ITAI KRISS -

Telavana

(Avenue K Records 2018)

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ORQUESTA AKOKÁN -

Orquesta Akokán

(

Daptone Records 2018)

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DAVE ANDERSON - Melting Pot

(Label One Records 2018)

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ERIKA MATSUO -

Reflections

(ERK Records 2017)

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LOS HACHEROS - Bambulaye

(Chulo Records 2016)

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BENJI KAPLAN -

Uai Sô

(Independent 2016)

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DIDA PELLED -

A Missing Shade Of Blue

(Red Records 2016)

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AMOS HOFFMAN -

Back To The City

(Independent 2015)

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LIVE BEAT TAPES -

The Singles

(Independent 2015)

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BURNING SPEAR -

No Destroyer

(Rastyle 2015)

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EDMAR CASTAÑEDA - Live at the Jazz Standard

(Arpa Y Voz Records 2015)

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MIKE ECKROTH -

Piano + Rhythm

(Independent 2015)

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BRIAN CHARETTE -

The Question That Drives Us

(Steeplechase 2014)

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SHAULI EINAV -

Generations

(PosiTone 2014)

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URI SHARLIN -

Back To The Woods

(Independent 2013)

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MIGRANT WORKERS -

Migrant Workers

(Independent 2013)

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LOS HACHEROS -

Pilón

(Chulo Records 2012)

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YUNIOR TERRY -

Mi Bajo Danzón

(Palo Santo 2012)

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ITAI KRISS -

The Shark

(Avenue K Records 2011)

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ETIENNE CHARLES - Kaiso

(Culture Shock Music

2011)

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4 FLUTE FLIGHT -

Touch The Sky

(Independent 2011)

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BIANCA WU -

Bianca Live

(BMA 2011)

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DAVE HERRTZBERG -

Hearts And Bones

(Independent 2011)

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RAFI MALKIEL -

Water

(Tzadik 2010)

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BIANCA WU -

Jazz Them Up

(LMC Music 2010)

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JOEL MORENO CODINACHS -

Emergexit

(Errabal 2010)

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DAN ARAN -

Breathing

(Smalls Records 2009)

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LA BOLÁ -

Sin Comentarios

(ADACMN 2009)

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ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ -

Timba Talmud

(Tzadik 2009)

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QUIMBOMBÓ -

Conga Eléctrica

(Independent 2009)

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DAFNIS PRIETO -

Taking The Soul For A Walk

(Independent 2008)

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CLAY ROSS -

Matuto

(Ropeadope 2008)

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STEVEN GLUZBAND -

Hot House

(Independent 2008)

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ABRAHAM RODRIGUEZ -

Cachimba Inolvidable

(Relief Records NYC 2008)

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RAFI MALKIEL -

My Island

(Raftone 2007)

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PABLO BOBROWICKY -

New York Connection

(Red Records 2006)

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JON REGEN -

Tel Aviv

(HiTone 2001)

 

Itai Kriss & Telavana

group photo of Itai Kriss and the members of Telavana
 

From the desert shores of Israel to the tropical beaches of Cuba, TELAVANA bridges the musical spheres of the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Led by the virtuosic Grammy nominated flutist Itai Kriss, Telavana creates a sound that is both uniquely modern and deeply rooted in tradition. This powerhouse ensemble fuses together the vibrant rhythms of Jazz, Afro-Caribbean and Middle Eastern styles, bringing together a group of accomplished musicians from diverse backgrounds to create a new musical vision. Telavana’s sound draws on Kriss's Mediterranean heritage, as well as his extensive travels and collaborations with musicians from around the world. With their electrifying performances and innovative approach to music, Itai Kriss and Telavana have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting and dynamic bands on the contemporary music scene. Whether performing on stage or in the studio, they continue to push the boundaries of traditional genres, creating music that is soulful and exhilarating.

Band Members:

Itai Kriss - flute and percussion

Wayne Tucker. - trumpet

Ahmed Alom Vega - piano

Samuel Torres - congas

Tamir Shmerling - bass

Dan Aran - drums

From the press

“..clearly a virtuoso..” (Nigel Williamson, Songlines, August 25, 2018)

“authentically beautiful melodies”

“[Kriss] plays with majestic virtuosity”

“Mr Kriss has matured into a musician who bestrides the two musical worlds of the Middle East and Latin America like a Colossus” (Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network August 23 2018)

“synthesizing and globetrotting”

“musical wanderlust” (Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz, September 12 2018)

“a musical synthesis as appealing and unforced as the cultural mix of the band” (Nate Chinen, WBGO.org, July 8 2018)

Releases

1st Album - Telavana

Itai Kriss – flute and compositions
Michael Rodriguez – trumpet
César Orozco – piano
Or Bareket – bass
Marcos López – Percussion
Dan Aran – drums

Special Guests:

Yosvany Terry – chekere (on #2 Hong Kong Overture)
Tamer Pinarbasi – qanun (on #4 Shabazi)


All compositions by Itai Kriss except #3 Rak Beinatayim (composed by Nurit Hirsh, arranged by Itai Kriss)
Recorded on January 31st 2017 at Big Orange Sheep Studios (NYC) by Michael Perez - Cizneros
Mixed and mastered by Michael Perez – Cizneros
Album Art by Latin For Glory
Published by Itai Kriss Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved © 2018
Released 7/7/2018 on Avenue K Records

2nd album - Supermoon

Itai Kriss – flute
Wayne Tucker – trumpet and flugelhorn
César Orozco – piano & fender rhodes
Tamir Shmerling – bass
Marcos López – percussion
Dan Aran – drums

Special Guests:
Keisel Jimenez - vocals (on #3 Taurus)
Jonathan Hoard – vocals (on #7 Virgo)
Shai Maestro - keyboards and synths (on all tracks except #9 & #13)
Malaya Sol - backing vocals (on #3 Taurus)

All compositions by Itai Kriss
Recorded on February 1& 2 2020 at Big Orange Sheep Studios (NYC) by Michael Perez - Cizneros
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Darlington Album Art by Carolina Arevalo

Released 10/8/2021 on Avenue K Records

 

3rd Album - All Aboard Vol. 1 Departures

Itai Kriss - flute & vocals 

Wayne Tucker - trumpet & flugelhorn

Ahmed Alom-Vega - piano 

Tamir Shmerling - acoustic bass, electric bass & vocals

Dan Aran - drums, percussion & vocals

Samuel Torres - congas & percussion

Special guest: Amos Hoffman - oud (#1,3) and electric guitar (#5,7)

1. Agadir ………………….05:09

2. Night Vision ……………04:43

3. Beach Song……………03:34 

4. Flânerie Brumeuse……06:35 

5. Dakar………………….03:13

6. Prendido…………….…03:49

7. Seventh Life ……….…04:55

All compositions by Itai Kriss

Published by Itai Kriss Music (ASCAP)

Recorded at the Bunker Studio in New York City on January 9th and 10th 2023

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Aaron Nevezie 

Avenue K Records AKR004

Contact: itaikriss.music@gmail.com