Daniel Zamir is a saxophonist, vocalist composer, and bandleader. Though he often plays alto, the soprano horn is considered his primary instrument. His blend of modern jazz draws as much from klezmer, liturgical, and Hasidic traditional music, the rhythms of India and West Africa, as it does from jazz. Zamir was drawn to the sound of the saxophone at a young age and began studying the instrument at the age of 12. Hearing Charlie Parker for the first time had a great effect upon him, and from that point on, he focused on music studies. Zamir attended a Tel Aviv high school that specialized in the arts and offered an intensive music program. In addition to the music of Charlie Parker, some of Zamir’s early influences include Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny, and John Zorn.
In late 1998, he relocated to N.Y.C., where he met percussionist Kevin Zubek and bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz, with whom he formed SATLAH, as well as well-known N.Y.C. musicians including Zorn. Zamir has also worked occasionally with members of the downtown scene, including Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Marc Ribot, and Calvin Weston. SATLAH’s recorded debut includes a guest appearance by Zorn and was released in March 2000 on the Tzadik label. Zamir followed it with I Believe, also on the Tzadik imprint. In 2006, Zamir released Amen, on 8th Note in Israel. The album drew global accolades and became the best-selling jazz record in his country’s history.
In his home country, Zamir’s popularity had transcended that of a mere jazzman. He is in demand as a collaborator in studio and on-stage with a host of Israel’s best-known pop musicians including Eviatar Banai, Yoni Rechter, Shlomo Gronich, Berry Sakharof, Ehud Banai, Amir Benayoun, and Danny Sanderson.
