Welcome to the 2008 Jewish Music Festival

Chen Zimbalista

Listen to Sample Track 4

Chen Zimbalista appears in...

Israeli percussionist Chen Zimbalista has dazzled audiences around the world with an enchanting array of rhythmic sounds that he cajoles from more than forty instruments, played with his lightening quick hands, some of them at the same time. His music – a euphonious blend of pulses and beats – defies classification. A true feast for the senses, his programs are taken from the classical, blues, jazz and occasionally from the rock repertoire.

Chen developed his skills in Tel Aviv after he was inspired by a drummer at a wedding when he was just five. By twelve, he knew he wanted to be a professional musician. Among his teachers are Alon Bor of the Israel Philharmonic, Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic, and Bent Lillof of Copenhagen.

A winner of several international competitions, including the Francois Shapira prize, Chen has performed at the Kennedy Center, with the Detroit Symphony and all the major orchestras in Israel, and at the Schleswig Holstein and Stresa music festivals, to name just a few. His CD, Desert Beat, is issued by Koch Discovery. Mysticism or happenstance, Chen Zimbalista traces his name to an eastern European ancestor who played the cimbalom.

During 2002-2003 Chen served as artistic manager of Ashdod Orchestra – since 2004 he is leading as music directing of TOM TOM percussion festival.

Chen Zimbalista Website