Shauli Einav
Opus One
Plus Loin Music
www.plusloin.net
By George W. Harris

Israeli born and Eastman School of Music educated, saxist Shauli Einav leads an impressive quintet on a set of originals that mix bebop, post modern and middle eastern sensibilities. With Shai Mastro/p, Andy Hunter/tb, Joseph Lepore/b and Johnathan Blake/dr, he delivers assertive and slightly outside material like “Jerusalem Theme” which sets the tone with intense soloing and driving rhythms. Other songs, like “The Damelin” have a classic Jazz Messenger feel, while the ballad “Na’ana,” a highlight, spotlights Einay’s rich and breathy tone. With one foot in the Torah and one in the Kabbalah, he mixes the old laws with modern mysticism.