Born in Israel to a family of Turkish descent, Zohar Fresco began playing percussion instruments at a very young age. He swiftly became enamored with Oriental music and began to play with older musicians who had immigrated to Israel from Arab countries.
His exceptional musical curiosity and his interest in a wide range of styles have led him to perform with many artists in Israel and abroad. At the age of twenty-one he joined Bustam Abraham. He is also a member of Ziryab Trio and of Arabandi.
A small sample of his international credits, apart from the above mentioned groups, include both recordings and performances with renowned composers Phillip Glass, Glen Velez, and Zakir Hussain. Zohar is an integral part of the recordings and worldwide performances of the internationally acclaimed singer Noa. In addition to this, he is a teacher and head of the Oriental percussion department at the Jerusalem Music Academy.
Zohar Fresco is a virtuoso of many percussion instruments, and his performances with the darbuka and the frame drums (such as Bendir, Riqq, and Tar) have left audiences all over the world awestruck. After years of playing these instruments, he has developed original techniques that include influences of Arabic, Indian, Persian, and Turkish music, as well as Jazz. Zohar Fresco is undoubtedly one of the best and most sought after percussionists in the world, and a rising star on the international scene.
Selected discography:
Bustan Abraham (Nada Productions, 1992)
Pictures through the painted window (Nada Productions, 1994)
Abadai (Nada Productions, 1996)
Fanar (Nada Productions, 1997)
Mashreq Classics with Ziryab Trio (1997)
Hamsa (Nada Productions, 2000)
Ashra, compilation (Nada Productions, 2001)
Live concerts (2003)
The Time, with Leszek Mozdzer and Lars Danielsson (2005)
Between Us and the Light, with Leszek Mozdzer and Lars Danielsson (2006)
An Armenian in America, with Ara Dinkjian (2006)
Napoli-Tel Aviv, with Achinoam Nini and Gil Dor (2007)
Live, with Leszek Mozdzer and Lars Danielsson (2007)
Polska, with Leszek Mozdzer and Lars Danielsson (2013)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
