Oz Noy Trio

When you say that someone blends the influences of jazz, funk, blues, rock, and soul into a single personal sound, it usually sounds vague — something you could claim about many musicians. But for very few is this description literally true. And it still misses one crucial word: groove.

Born in Tel Aviv, he began performing with local jazz and blues bands at the age of thirteen. In 1996, he moved to New York, where he quickly became part of the city’s vibrant music scene and established close connections with leading jazz and funk musicians. This opened the door to performances in prestigious clubs and to studio work. Before long, he became a regular guest at New York’s iconic jazz venues such as The Blue Note and 55 Bar.

He never confined himself to a single style; on the contrary, he sought to understand the essence of each genre and take from it what he needed for his own artistic expression. He combined all of this with his absolutely brilliant technique, which allowed him to play with ease even the kinds of lines that made far more famous players dizzy. His music is profoundly rhythmic, driven by infectious funk and rhythm-and-blues grooves that make it nearly impossible for listeners to keep still — something not every jazz-associated musician can claim. Yet Oz Noy undeniably belongs to the jazz world, especially because improvisation is the alpha and omega of his playing, enriched with a strong experimental streak.

Critics have consistently welcomed his albums with enthusiasm — already his self-titled debut in 2003 drew immediate attention. Six years later, he introduced his concept of the musical chameleon — or the musical schizophrenic — on the album Schizophrenic. He revitalized classic blues vocabulary on the two-part project Twisted Blues (2011, 2014), and Who Gives a Funk quite literally blew the minds of funk fans. Throughout his career, Oz Noy has collaborated with musical legends such as Dave Weckl, Will Lee, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Chris Potter. His stylistic breadth is further confirmed by his participation in a tribute album to late hard-rock guitarist Tommy Bolin and an invitation to collaborate from Deep Purple’s longtime bassist Roger Glover.

Although at fifty-three he is far from being a veteran, Oz Noy has become an inspiration for many young musicians — not only guitarists. His approach to genre fusion and his relentless search for new sounds place him among the most important figures in contemporary instrumental music. His JazzFestBrno performance will show that jazz can still be fresh, innovative, and, above all, incredibly fun.