About
"Avishai Darash, once again, offers us a tremendous creative act. He is an astonishing musician and composer. The playing is responsive, emotive. An album laced with various moods and textures, Samskara is the result of a true creator, whose compositions allow us to catch the depth of the collective as well as the individuality of its musicians"
Avishai Darash, an Amsterdam-based pianist, composer, arranger, record producer, and musical director, has seamlessly blended musical styles, drawing inspiration from North African traditional music, Western classical music, American jazz, and Israeli folk.
His musical journey began with the mentorship of his cousin, Tribal Tul, a psychedelic trance producer. At the age of 11, Avishai spent a weekend in Tul's studio learning about the production and creative process of electronic music. He delved into producing psychedelic trance until the age of 16, gaining insights into structure, influences, and arrangements that later influenced his musical direction.
At 16, Avishai attended his first jazz concert, captivated by its spontaneity, communication, and real-time composition. This led him to piano lessons under Ittai Rosenbaum, solidifying his commitment to a musical career. He temporarily set aside electronic music production to focus on learning music theory and band leading.
From 2008 to 2010, he pursued a Bachelor's degree at the Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance, exposing himself to various music styles and disciplines. In 2010, Avishai moved to the Netherlands to attend the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam for jazz performance, leveraging his network for productions and educational opportunities.
Between 2012 and 2017, Avishai collaborated with Dutch/Moroccan oud virtuoso Mohamed Ahaddaf, touring and producing albums such as "Spoken Soul" (2014) and "Seasons" (2016). His debut album, "Impermanence" (2015), showcased rising jazz talents (Ofri Nehemya and Avri Borochov) and a string quartet from the Dutch prize-winning orchestra "Metropole Orkest."
In 2018, he introduced "Nomadic Treasures," a collective under the italian label A.MA Edizioni, followed by the critically acclaimed "SAMSKARA" in May 2019.
From 2020 to 2023, Avishai served as the artistic director and pianist for the Marmoucha Orchestra, producing eight studio albums and one live album. Their groundbreaking approach combined traditional melodies with western classical harmonies, earning support from national performing arts (FPK) and Amsterdam's regional funds (AFK). His latest album with the orchestra, "Andalusian Love Song," is hailed as his finest work.
Between 2021-2023, Avishai joined MusicalMakers, an initiative curated by billionaire Joop van den Ende and DeLaMar theatre, establishing himself as a sought-after composer for musicals and interdisciplinary stage projects.
His recent album, "Between Hope and Despair," with his world quartet, responds to recent changes in the Middle East, conveying a message of unity, love, and connection.
From 2017 to 2019, Avishai served as the pianist and arranger for Amsterdam's Andalusian Orchestra. He also arranged and led the production of the project “ZIEL” in collaboration with the dance company ICK from Amsterdam, featured on albums “Andalusian Echoes” and “Ziel/Rouh.”
Currently, Avishai is developing a program with acclaimed DJ and Producer Roy Rosenfeld called “Lev Poema,” blending electronic music with a live orchestra. The project is set to premiere in the fall of 2025.
Beyond his musical projects, Avishai is dedicated to coaching the next generation of aspiring musicians, guiding them into the business of music and the path of individual creative endeavors
