About us
The Israeli Jazz Council is the official umbrella organization of jazz in Israel. It was founded in early 2026 out of the understanding that the Israeli jazz world — in its creative, educational and performing layers — needs a professional, representative and established home to voice the genre before government institutions and the public.
The Council is made up of musicians, creators, artistic directors and professionals, united in the aim of securing the future of Israeli jazz as a leading, stable and thriving cultural sector.
It is time that the recognition and appreciation abroad translate into recognition and support at home.
Council members
Leading professionals from the world of Israeli jazz, united around a shared vision
Prof. Arnon Palty
Composer, arranger and bass player
One of the founding fathers of Israeli jazz and Israel's first professor of jazz. He has worked alongside leading artists in Israel and around the world, and served as dean of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and as deputy director of Rimon.
Avi Adrian
Art adviser
Pianist and composer, winner of the 2007 Prime Minister's Prize for Composers in jazz. A senior lecturer at the Jerusalem Academy of Music who has taught generations of musicians.
Prof. Avi Ori
Council member
Professor emeritus of rehabilitation medicine at Tel Aviv University and laureate of the 2021 Landau Prize for lifetime achievement. An active jazz drummer in two ensembles.
Eitan Itzkovitch
Drummer and music producer
One of Israel's most sought-after session musicians. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, he has played the Monterey festival, Munich and Azerbaijan, and worked with Achinoam Nini, Yoni Rechter and others.
Prof. Boaz Ben-Moshe
Head of ethics
Professor of composition, winner of the 2021 Engel Prize and twice of the Prime Minister's Prize for Composers. Chair of the Israel Composers' League and a member of the ACUM board of directors.
Tzur Ben-Zeev
Head of international relations
A veteran bass player and one of Israel's leading jazz musicians. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, he produces albums, shows and television programmes.
Dr. Shlomi Goldenberg
Head of festivals
Saxophonist and director of the jazz club at the Simta Theatre. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, with a doctorate in composition.
Adv. Yochai Hai
Chair and founder
An expert in copyright and the music industry with more than 40 years of experience.
Our vision
We aim to make jazz in Israel a genre with full institutional recognition, a proper budgetary foundation, and an environment that encourages excellence and original creation.
The Council's objectives
- Representation and establishment
- Correcting the budgetary imbalance
- Setting standards and criteria
- Preserving and developing human capital
- Audience development and education
- Initiating and managing external relations
Who we serve
- Artists and musicians
- Educators and teachers
- Schools and academies
- Festivals and events
- Cultural centres
- Music lovers