Gimel on Tour

Arts On Tour NZ tours Gimel 15 – 30 September.

Gimel may be relatively unknown to New Zealand audiences, but its creator is not. Prolific composer Jonathan Besser has brought together a top performing bass player, a drummer, and a vibraphonist to accompany his piano playing in music especially composed for the group. Jazz and classically inspired, with room and space for improvisation, the Gimel music relates to the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet (although there are four members in the group).

The result is the Gimel Suites - music composed with the idea of three in mind – three beats, three bars, three chords, thirds in harmony, three hours and days, three stretched almost to four, suggests Besser.

The Gimel Suites take the listener on an imaginative journey through different musical genres linking New York City, New Zealand and an imaginary land where three instead of four is the currency. (Forget waltzes, says Besser). Delicate and exquisite or wild and crazy, the music walks the fine line between pushing the boundaries and drawing the audience in. Expect the unexpected when Gimel tours with Arts On Tour NZ.

Gimel performed at the 2011 Auckland Arts Festival and was the surprise hit at the Sydney’s 'Shir Madness’ Festival.

"The enchanting effect of Gimel's sounds: brought to mind spells and magic, the perfect soundtrack to a fantasy full of, say, secret romances set in a mossy forest…. I shouldn't have been surprised that such magical sounds were grounded in so much musical theory and hard work. …serious genius…” - midnighteast.com

Book: Mussel Inn
Ticket prices: $10 - 15