Amir Gwirtzman, Israel’s top Jazz musician over the past 20 years, will travel to Viet Nam for performances in Ha Noi on August 21 and 22.

Jazz musician Amir Gwirtzman

Amir Gwirtzman will bring to Viet Nam his unique, jazzy music in two performances, one at the Latino Bar of the Melia Hotel, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet Street, and one exclusive joint performance with the well-known Vietnamese jazz artist Quyen Van Minh at Minh’s Jazz Club, 31 Luong Van Can Street.

He was introduced to the recorder (little flute) at the age of seven, the clarinet at nine and the saxophone at sixteen. Now, he plays twenty different reed instruments.

Amir won a scholarship for his studies at the Mannes College of Music in Manhattan, where he lived between the years 1991-97. During his time in New York he performed and recorded with many artists such as Philip Glass and the Mongo Santa Marias Band.

He is also the founder of ESTA, a band proclaimed by music critics as “Israel’s most original instrumental band.” ESTA’s music combines elements of world music, the power of rock and roll and the spirit of jazz into a powerful, energetic new sound that crosses genres, styles and borders.

Amir and ESTA have performed in various prestigious festivals and highly respected venues not only in Israel but also throughout Europe and the United States such as Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD (World Music Festival) in Italy, the Dranouter Folk Festival in Belgium, Radio France in Paris, the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Israel, the New Music Seminar in New York City, and the Festival L’Art De La Paix (The Art of Peace) in Belgium.

The band has shared the stage with artists such as Suzanne Vega, Noa, The Chieftains, Sinead O’Connor, Stanley Jordan, L. Shankar, and CHeb Mami. ESTA’s debut album, released by MCI Records, was greeted with great critical acclaim.

The Viet Nam's show is part of a series of Israeli cultural events including musical performances, photo and painting exhibitions in Ha Noi this year, according to the Israeli Embassy in Viet Nam.