“How he came to lead one of the more notable swing dance orchestras in the world is a story about the fundamental connection between jazz and physical movement, whether it’s just tapping your foot or doing the Lindy Hop.” ~DownBeat Magazine

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Eyal Vlner is one of the leading new voices in the New York and global swing scene. Born in Tel Aviv, saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer and bandleader Eyal moved to New York in 2007 and started his big band the following year. The Eyal Vilner Big Band has been performing widely in New York City’s landmarks such as Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim, Birdland, Dizzy's Club, Smalls, Minton’s Playhouse, Harlem Jazzmobile and Central Park SummerStage. Internationally, Eyal has performed at the Red Sea Jazz Festival, Tel Aviv Museum, Jerusalem Theater; Ghent Festival, Belgium; Teatro Alameda, Spain; Théâtre Plaza, Montreal, as well as Paris Jazz Roots, the historical La Bellevilloise, Le Duc des Lombards, and Caveau de la Huchette in Paris, to name a few.

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Eyal's interest in the exchange between sound and movement within the jazz idiom inspired his musical journey and yielded collaborations with acclaimed dancers and choreographers. Among these projects are theater productions, dance festivals and competitions such as the International Lindy Hop Championships,  The Xperience, Midsummer Night's Swing, and the celebrated SW!NG OUT show at the Joyce Theater (co-creator and musical director). This show, which the New York Times has called "Groundbreaking," has toured throughout the US, in venues such as the Jacob’s Pillow and the LA Music Center.

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The big band performs Eyal's original compositions as well as his new arrangements of jazz classics. Their music, which derives from the tradition of jazz, swing and the blues, strives to bring a unique voice to this beautiful art form. The big band’s first seven albums: Introducing the Eyal Vilner Big Band, Almost Sunrise, Hanukkah, Swing Out!, Live in Washington Square Park!, The Jam!, and Swingin’ Uptown received rave reviews and made it to the Top Jazz Radio Charts of the US and Canada. 

 

Website: www.EyalVilner.com

FB: Eyal Vilner Big Band

IG: eyal_vilner_big_band

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"Mr. Vilner draws heavily on the past, yet this is not a band where time stands still — just the opposite: It jumps, it moves, it swings." ~Will Friedwald, The New York Sun 

 

"Vilner's compositions were written with dancing in mind, and it's hard to keep the toes from tapping when listening" ~All About Jazz Magazine

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