Podcast 674: A Conversation with Yotam Silberstein

Podcast 674 is a long overdue conversation with Israeli guitarist Yotam Silberstein.  Since he was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition in 2005, Yotam has shown himself to be more than just another guitar ace, but also a top interpreter of the music of South America, most notably Brazil.  With the release of The Village last year, he seemed ready to show that he could handle any facet of jazz with intelligence, wit and style. Future Memories shows this was the case. Yotam has assembled a band that has toured with this material for a year or more, and the result is an increased tightness and perceptiveness. The band - Victor Goncalves (Piano, accordion, Percussion), Glenn Zaleski (Fender Rohes, Piano), and Daniel Dor (Drums, Percussion) – has been made even better with the addition of the Brazilia-loving bassist John Patitucci. Yotam was part of Patitucci's trio release entitled Irmaos De Fe, and the pair continues to build a highly beneficial relationship. Yotam and I discussed how an Israeli-born musician came to adopt Brazilian music; what sort of gear he uses to create the varied sounds and textures that make Future Memories so continually interesting; and what he learned from his tenure with the likes of Jimmy Health, the late Roy Hargrove, and especially Monty Alexander. Music selections from Future Memories include the title track and "Choro Negro"; and Monty Alexnader's Harlem-Kingston Express' recording of "Freddie Freeloader (Riddim)" from their Live at Dizzy's Coca-Cola, NYC CD.