Oded Ben Izhak

Late Afternoon Clouds

Bio: Oded Ben Izhak. Born at 1986. Finished  Bachelor degree in Jazz Studies at the Jerusalem Music Academy. Based in Israel. Taking part of the mainstream and local indie music scene and also currently working on two new indie projects (links below).

Haringman Collective:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/1fiFQwmyfxTlqKxPXT04j5?si=uka1ItldSDqZQOubH38jbg

Portman T: https://www.instagram.com/portman_t_band?igsh=MTlzdGVzbjJ2OXlhZA==

Statement:  In this day of age that our lives are moving in such a crazy and fast tempo, I feel that to even take a small moment to stop literally can mean to stay behind or even to die. But this piece forces you to do just that – to stop everything, observe and listen. And suddenly your soul is free to breathe and exist.

When Jim first introduced me this piece I was afraid. As a young ambitious artist, whose purpose was to be the best saxophonist and to conquer the world; I didn't believe I could relate to something so slow, nuanced and long! But when I started to observe and play suddenly some kind of clarity started to form in my mind. I started to really feel something deep was happening: from the slow movements of the clouds, the colors that change ever so slightly, the nice and small surprises that accrue like the birds flying in and out of the frame and the noises of the street, all becoming harmonies within existence.

I chose to play and record only the saxophone because it's so naked and honest. One can really feel and hear every breath and nuance in the notes played. My playing happened in real time while watching this video clip. The improvised melodies express what I was feeling at the time watching it: melancholy that flirts with a child's play; discomfort and sadness that in the end changes to hope and acceptance.