*WINNER OF THE 1996 GREAT AMERICAN JAZZ PIANO COMPETITION. *GRAMMY AWARD WINNER in the classical category as assistant musical director together with Paquito D'Rivera on "Historia Del Soldado"(Histoire Du Soldat) by igor Stravinsky. "I grew up studying concert music, while being exposed to other kinds of music as well. In Picture this, I created music, which attempts to bridge those worlds, both through my compositions and my playing. The title track Picture This was a challenge for the Trio, to respond to an image we have not seen before, and to create a piece that sounds cohesive, as if it was a pre meditated composition. I also thought that the listeners would enjoy the exquisite playing of an artist I deeply appreciate, and have been enjoying performing with for the past three years, the great Paquito D'Rivera. Enjoy the music and picture this..." Alon Yavnai, New York 2004 A graduate of Gyvataym Conservatory in Israel, Israeli-born pianist Alon Yavnai started playing at the early age of four. He started performing professionally when he was thirteen. Between the years 1990-1993 Alon lived in Costa Rica and toured Mexico and Guatemala with his jazz trio. In 1993 he came to the United States, where three years later he won the first place at the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. He has performed with several renowned artists, such as Yo-Yo Ma, Freddie Hubbard, the New York Pops, NDR Big Band (based in Germany), Ravi Coltrane, Bob Moses, Paquito D'Rivera, Louis Hayes, Tom Harrell, Arturo "Zambo" Cavero, Tania Libertad, Danny Gottlieb, Oscar Stagnaro, Bobby Shew, John Benitez, Joe Morelo, Ndugu Chansler, Regina Carter, among others. Mr. Yavnai has toured in West Africa, Central America, and Europe, and has appeared in several jazz festivals, including the International Jazz Festival in Cancun, Mexico, Heineken Jazz Festival, Boston Globe Jazz Festival, and those in Jacksonville, Florida and Baltica Jazz Festival in Germany. He has recorded over a dozen albums with various artist and labels, notably the music of Jorge Calandrelli with the Boston Pops in a live recording at Symphony Hall. His first CD as a leader titled D.S. AL CODA was released in February 2001. In addition, Mr. Yavnai conducts workshops on jazz improvisation and Latin music for students from elementary to high school, as well as college level. Currently Mr. Yavnai lives in New York. He performs regularly with Grammy Award winner Paquito D'Rivera, mostly touring worldwide and nationally, playing music ranged from Latin Jazz to Chamber classical music in concert halls. Some of the performances include Colon Theater in Argentina, Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Fiddle Fest at Carnegie Hall with Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, International Jazz Festival in Uruguay with Paquito D'Rivera Quintet, and Jazz Street Jazz Festival in Japan, to mention a few. Mr. Yavnai is also a member of Paquito D'Rivera Chamber Jazz Trio, featuring Mark Summer on Cello. The trio has performed with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (YOA) worldwide. In addition, for the past three years the trio was invited to perform at the Moab Music Festival in Utah. In January 2005 Mr. Yavnai is celebrating the release of his new CD with his jazz trio titled "Picture this" at the International Jazz Festival in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, featuring Massimo Biolcati on acoustic bass, Take Toriyama on drums, and guest artist six times Grammy Award winner paquito D'Rivera.