Hanukkah Concert
December 8, 2004

Rafi Malkiel

Israeli trombonist and composer Rafi Malkiel is an active player in both the jazz and Latin scenes in New York City. He leads his own quintet, fusing jazz with Afro-Cuban and Middle-Eastern influences. He also plays euphonium with the world famous, Grammy-nominated Colombian singer Toto La Momposina, and is a member of Latin jazz bands Salsa Picante, Pan Con Timba, and Mo Guajiro.

Rafi began his training at the Rubin Academy of Music in Israel. He later received a BA from the New School in New York City, where he studied with Slide Hampton and Ray Anderson, and a Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Conrad Herwig and Steve Turre. He was the recipient of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation music scholarships in 1985 through 1997.

Rafi also performs and composes for theater; he plays on Broadway in the Tony-winning musical Urinetown. In 2002, he wrote an original score for choreographer Rachel Cohen as part of Music and Dance Under Construction at The Construction Company.

About the Quintet
The Rafi Malkiel Quintet plays a variety of styles and flavors, mixed into a unique sound. The band's repertoire includes arrangements of traditional jazz, Afro-Caribbean and Middle-Eastern Standards, as well as original compositions by Rafi Malkiel and the members of the band. The music includes composed as well as improvised material, and is always fresh and surprising.