Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ BFM Digital) Composer, producer and bassist of 26 years for notable Israeli band "Esta," Bentsi Gafni is releasing his solo album that has been five years in the making. "Early Dream" will be released January 25, 2011, through Newance Records. His first solo venture, "Early Dream" was meticulously crafted as an expression of a personal path and the growth of an individual voice. BFM Digital, a leading digital music aggregator and distributor of independent music, is distributing the album.
Bentsi started playing guitar at age thirteen, and three years later started on the bass. His training continued as he studied music theory with Menachem Vizeberg, and later began a more formal study of Middle Eastern music with Lebanese oud and Ney player Basam Saba and oud and violin player Simon Shaheen and with his Ensemble of classical Arabic music performed for two years throughout USA and Europe.
Bentsi, as well as the other members of Esta, is a highly sought after session player in Israel. He recorded and performed with such acclaimed artists as Gidi Gov, Rami Kleinstein, Rita, Arik Einstein, Shalom Hanoch and many more. He and the other members of Esta were doing very well for themselves in Israel, but decided it was time to focus more on their own creative works and reach out overseas.
In 1991 they all moved to New York City where their vision of a distinctive East/West fusion truly took shape. As the fan base grew they reached out further and have played at many prestigious venues such as Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, "The Blue Note, "House of Blues," "Cite De La Musique," Paris, "WOMAD Festival" and other major festivals, and even made a historic appearance at The White House. As a band, "Esta" released three critically acclaimed albums.
While still actively playing and recording with Esta, Bentsi took on "Early Dream" as an exploration within. Without the use of lyrics he has created an interpretation of his own personal journey that is explained as clear as any language. The music speaks to the audience using various instruments including the ney, duduk, electric and acoustic guitars to carry the melodies.
Tracks like "Early Dream" and "To Be" have an ambient essence much like a dream, but are upbeat and well structured. The choice to use multiple percussive instruments that include very modern and western instruments and synthesizers, as well as traditional percussions from around the world, aid in giving each song an entirely different groove. Songs like "Jule 2" persuade listeners to move naturally with the unfamiliar rhythms, in contrast "Way Up" has the makings of a pop rock hit with flair.
Bentsi has proven his mastery has no limits by producing an album that fuses genres and cultures. This solo venture expresses his growth and determination as an artist.
For more information, please contact Heather Noonan / BFM Digital at [email protected] or 818-762-0191.
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