Nadav Berkovits: Cycle & Line (UBU0139)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of Cycle & Line, the solo EP album from pianist/composer Nadav Berkovits, which will be available worldwide from 28th April 2023.

Nadav is a musician, pianist and composer based in Israel. Born to a musical family, he was exposed from a young age to jazz, classical and Afro-Cuban music, as well as Israeli and Middle Eastern. Growing up in such a diverse environment led him to explore different musical territories. In his music, Nadav often combines of all these traditions.

After graduating from the New School Jazz Program in Tel Aviv Conservatory and the Jerusalem Academy of Music, Nadav travelled several times to Cuba in order to explore Afro-Cuban music and its culture, focusing on composing new, original music in his own voice.

Nadav also gained experience in the last decade as a sideman, while performing with different groups in Israel's finest venues and abroad, such as Marseille Jazz Des Cinq Continents Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Jerusalem Jazz Festival and more.

Nadav’s debut album, Waking the Heart, was released in December 2021 on Ubuntu Music.

Since then, he’s been touring with his group in Israel, performing in Beit Haamudim, Yellow Submarine, Levontin 7 and other venues.

Nadav discusses his latest solo piano project: “’Cycle & Line’ is my first solo piano recording. I’ve been dreaming about it and imagining it for a long time. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to make this happen. My intention was to perform some new compositions just the way I would play these at home by myself, and to let the melodies tell the story.

“After doing ‘Liberation Kriya’ (Kundalini Yoga meditation) for 40 days, I felt like this was the right time and soon thereafter I had the opportunity to record this project.

“My intention was to bring out the melodies as much as I could and let these evolve very freely through improvisation. This five track EP is just me, the piano, and the music of that moment in time.”

Nadav shares his views on his continued relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I’m really happy to be working again with Martin (Hummel), Sam (Carelse) and the team at Ubuntu Music. Since releasing ‘Waking the Heart’ - my debut album - Ubuntu has become my musical home and it’s amazing to see how it’s developed since. I’m looking forward to our latest collaboration.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Nadav is someone very special to us. He has this talent, combined with a deep spiritual strength, that manifests itself beautifully in his music. We are exceedingly happy to be continuing our relationship with Nadav in our Ubuntu Music Family.”