Description
The connection born between world-renowned New York pianist Nitai Hershkovits and Tel Aviv-based writer and vocalist Keren Dun has blossomed into an enchanting and entirely new piano and vocal duo. Nitai and Keren share a unique feel for music, for language, and for the world itself. Though both emerge from traditional jazz and classical backgrounds, they love to wander into the avant-garde and folk realms, exploring and unraveling sounds.
“Let The Mountain In” is their shared journey—one that strips the piano and voice duo bare, revealing the mystery of this musical relationship alongside all its limits and possibilities.
Speaking on the collaboration, Nitai shares: “Keren’s vocal abilities—ranging from the sounds of a flute to those of stringed instruments—added so many different flavors to the music we created. She is everything a musician could want in a partner. As soon as we decided to collaborate, we dove straight into creation. We locked ourselves in the studio for two days and simply improvised, capturing soundscapes and recording.”
Keren reflects: “We both take an open approach to creation. At first, we didn’t know exactly what we wanted. We only knew that we would seek a harmony of piano and voice, without hiding behind any masks, taking our cues from primal, natural sounds. We decided to remain in an intimate space, which is why we didn’t introduce any other instruments. It is a profound honor for me to make music with Nitai. His unconventional perspective on both music and life is truly inspiring.”
“Nitai Herchkovits is an unforgettable pianist… Reminiscent of the silky jazz pianist Hank Jones.”
– John Fordham, The Guardian
“Hershkovits dances across the keys with the elegance of Fred Astaire and the melancholic wit of Charlie Chaplin.”
– Cem Akalin, General Anzeiger Bonn
The BBC has called pianist and composer Nitai Hershkovits a “genuine prodigy.” This charismatic performer possesses an incredibly strong voice and a distinct musical vision. Unlike most musicians, Nitai studied jazz first before transitioning to classical music. This unique progression lends a captivating eclecticism to his playing style.
Born to a Moroccan mother and a Polish father, Nitai began playing the clarinet at the age of twelve, and was soon performing on professional stages. At fifteen, he discovered a love for the piano and immersed himself in the world of improvisation. By seventeen, he had won the “Jazz Signs” competition for the first time and relocated to Tel Aviv to study under jazz masters Amit Golan and Yuval Cohen.
“I loved playing the piano as if I were playing a saxophone—one note at a time,” Nitai says of his musical discoveries during that period.
Later, the artist became interested in composition, writing for various performers from the Israeli Conservatory. Ultimately, he embraced classical music studies, drawing knowledge from the renowned Israeli composer and educator Dr. Menahem Weisenberg and classical piano teacher Amir Pedorovits.
Today, Nitai boasts international awards, scholarships, and albums released with major record labels. His concerts grace prestigious halls and festivals: “Salle Pleyel”, “Vienna Konzerthaus”, “l’Olympia”, “Alter Oper”, “North Sea Jazz Festival”, “Village Vanguard”, “Antibes Jazz Festival”, “Jazz à Vienne”, “Montreux Jazz Festival”, and the “Barbican Center”.
Nitai frequently collaborates with world-renowned musicians and artists from other disciplines—Avishai Cohen, Ari Hoenig group, Oded Tzur, Rejoicer (Yuvi Havkin), Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mndsgn, Felix Colgrave, Amir Bresler, Yonatan Albalak, and others.
Keren Dun is a multi-instrumentalist (percussion and saxophone), singer, songwriter, member of the Buttering Trio, and producer.
Born in 1986, Keren began her musical journey as a percussionist and vocalist, studying jazz at the Thelma Yelin School of Arts. She has been a member of various ensembles—ranging from salsa to prog-rock and experimental music. In 2012, the musician released her first solo album titled “Subconscious Leak ”, followed by the acclaimed “Shakin’ The Tips” in 2013, and another album, “What It Is”, in 2015.
Keren creates solo work and collaborates extensively with other artists—Dj Mesh, CohenBeats, Rejoicer, Echo, Sol Monk, and others.
Keren’s music is world music. African rhythms, hip-hop, jazz, an abundance of percussion and soft synthesizer tones, warm vocals, and unique stories—all of these intertwine to create an enchanting atmosphere and an unmistakable sound.
Program: KerenDun & Nitai Hershkovits “Let The Mountain In”
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