In his captivating ECM debut, "Call on the Old Wise," Nitai Hershkovits showcases his pianistic genius within a largely improvised solo context. His dynamic improvisations unfold like compositions emerging in real time: "It's as if I'm playing with several musical eras simultaneously, but in a kind of augmented reality environment," Nitai explains. The album is partly dedicated to his former piano teacher, Suzan Cohen, with whom he studied in Jerusalem and to whom the term "wise" in the album's title refers. The pieces "The Old Wise," "Of Mentorship," and "For Suzan" directly reference her. Nitai draws from a wide range of influences, from his jazz work and contemporary explorations to his classical music background. This flawless balance of diverse styles generates a wealth of colors and timbres, explored by a pianist who has successfully carved out his own voice as both improviser and shaper of form. "Call on the Old Wise" follows the albums "Isabela" and "Here Be Dragons", on which Nitai was featured as a member of the Oded Tzur Quartet.
