ITAI KRISS

Grammy-nominated flutist and composer Itai Kriss has been a key player in New York’s jazz scene for over two decades. Renowned for his fusion of musical traditions, Kriss blends jazz, gospel, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Middle Eastern modes, and Brazilian grooves into a sound that is both deeply rooted and unmistakably personal.

Born in Zefat and raised in Tel Aviv, Itai was introduced to music by his father, who passed on his love of American blues. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for Black American music and led Kriss to explore the full expressive potential of the flute. Drawn to the intricacy and fire of bebop, he found inspiration in the music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, eventually expanding his palette to include gospel, Brazilian music, and the rich rhythmic traditions of Cuba and North Africa.

After moving to New York, Kriss quickly became a sought-after collaborator, performing, touring, and recording with artists including Pedrito Martinez, Orquesta Akokán, Dafnis Prieto, Avishai Cohen, among many others. He is the founder of TELAVANA, an ensemble that bridges the sounds of his Israeli heritage with the energy and joy of Afro-Cuban music.

Kriss now presents Daybreak, his latest album and debut release on JOJO RECORDS — an evocative suite of eight original compositions inspired by the unfolding of a single day. Featuring Adam Birnbaum on piano, Luke Sellick on bass, the late Anthony Pinciotti on drums in one of his final recordings, and guest appearances by Benny Benack III and Yotam Silberstein, Daybreak is a bright and heartfelt reflection on time, transition, and rebirth.

In the liner notes, author and jazz historian T.J. English writes:

“By connecting the tunes thematically around the concept of daybreak – the dawning of a new day – the music on this record is life-affirming in ways that could lighten the trajectory of your own daily journey. All you must do is open your ears and your heart, and trust that wherever the day takes you, it will be enhanced by the harmonies, melodies and flat-out virtuosity of this brilliant collection of instrumentalists at the top of their game.”

The last words belong to Kriss himself, on music as not just performance, but communion:

“There is a spiritual element to playing with other people, the vibrations of creativity,” he says. “I feel the power of that connection. Music can heal the soul. I don’t take that lightly.”

Neither do we.