Eli Degibri, an accomplished Israeli saxophonist and composer, follows his last album, Israeli Song, with Twelve (Plus Loin), a batch of lyrical and swinging tunes recorded in Tel Aviv, on Dec. 12, 2012 (12/12/12). Degibri wrote eight of the nine songs on Twelve. He and the band — Gadi Lehavi, piano; Barak Mori, bass; and Ofri Nehemya, drums — cover the standard “Autumn in New York.” Shlomo Ydov wrote the lyrics and provides the vocal on “Liora Mi Amor.” Degibri, a vet of bands led by Herbie Hancock and Al Foster, gets great performances from his young band mates, including Lehavi, who lays down a dazzling solo on “The Spider.” Lehavi turns 18 next month. — M.S.
(American Jewish World, 3.28.14)
