Born in Israel to a Moroccan mother and a Polish father, Hershkovits started playing the clarinet at age 12, only to discover his love for the piano at age 15. Around that time, he was first exposed to the sound of jazz giants such as Wynton Kelly and Sonny Clark.
By the time he was 17, Hershkovits had moved to Tel Aviv to combine regular school with private music and piano lessons under the guidance of jazz educators Amit Golan and Yuval Cohen. He soon became interested in a rich variety of both classical and jazz music.
Hershkovits also studied classical music and theory for two years with well-known Israeli composer and educator Dr. Menahem Weisenberg and classical music educators Shoshana Cohen and Amir Pedorovits.
Hershkovits has performed and collaborated with many noted artists, among them- Jorge Rossy, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Greg Tardy, Ari Hoenig, Charles Davis, Mark Guiliana, Zohar Fresco, Steve Davis, Diego Urcola and Robert Sadin. He has also recorded for Daniel Zamir's Redemption Songs (John Zorn's Tzadik), "One" (Hatav Hashmini), for flutist Ilan Salem's album Wild(Razdaz), in 2011, and for Avi Lebovich's 2013 album Volcano. Nitai can also be heard on Layerz's "Things On Top of Each Other" (Raw Tapes/2014), featured artist on "All Original" (Razdaz/2014) and Sprouts' "Sprouts" (Indie/2013).
Hershkovits was awarded the highest scholarship given by the Israel-American Music Foundation (AICF) four years in a row between 2004 and 2010.
Another highlight was his onetime prestigious Chase Scholarship award in 2009 sponsoring a B.A. degree at the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music.
He has had the privilege of touring all over the world and performing at many different venues: Salle Pleyel, Vienna Konzerthaus, l'Olympia, Alter Oper, North Sea Jazz Festival, Antibes Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, Montreux Jazz Festival, Barbican Center and Tonhalle, to name but a few.
Hershkovits has been collaborating with internationally acclaimed bassist and composer Avishai Cohen. Cohen released Duende (EMI/Blue Note) in May 2012. Hershkovits joined Cohen on the piano in this duet album and in the arrangement of two of the tracks. In November 2013, the album Almah (EMI/Parlophone) was released, featuring a string quartet and an oboe. The latest trio recording, From Darkness, was released in February 2015.
Hershkovits' debut album I Asked You A Question (Raw Tapes) was released in February 2016. The album, co-produced by Rejoicer, featuring Hershkovits on vocals, piano and synths. Los Angeles based singer Georgia Anne Muldrow and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel joins Hershkovits on two of the tracks ("Satellite Dish" & "My Turn" respectively).
Exploring the realm of analog electronics, samples and beats, I Asked You A Question is an eclectic, empirical yet genuine attempt of blending improvised ideas and through-composed music.
ABOUT OR BAREKET:
Born in Jerusalem and raised in Buenos-Aires and Tel-Aviv, Or Bareket is currently one of the most in-demand and versatile bassists on the NYC jazz scene
Winner of the 1st prize at the International Society of Bassists' jazz competition in 2011, Or’s diverse heritage is clearly present in his playing. His approach to improvisation is informed by Mediterranean, South American, and North African folklores, all interpreted through his deep knowledge and appreciation of the American Jazz tradition.
Since moving to New York in 2010 Bareket has performed, recorded, and toured with a wide array of artists all over the world. Notable names include Ari Hoenig, Leon Parker, Aaron Goldberg, Sam Yahel, Rodney Green, Yotam Silberstein, Fred Nardin, Camila Meza, Jean-Michel Pilc, Dida Pelled, Dan Tepfer, Ziv Ravitz, Nitai Hershkovits, Shai Maestro and Cyrille Aimee. He has also worked with Gilad Hekselman, Peter Bernstein, Hamilton De Holanda, Banda Magda, Eli Degibri, Oded Tzur, Chris Potter, Mike Moreno, Billy Hart,Charles Altura, Victor Lewis, Don Friedman, and Elliot Zigmund among many others.
Or's debut recording as a leader, "OB1", was released on Fresh Sound New Talent records in Fall 2017.
Or is an alum of the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, a multiple-time recipient of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarship for outstanding performers as well as the Eubie Blake Fellowship. He has participated in Betty Carter’s “Jazz Ahead” at the Kennedy center, The Steans Institute Ravinia Workshop, and the Banff Workshop for Jazz and Creative Music.
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