Nagwa is a unique Israeli acoustic ethno-jazz ensemble led by composer, guitarist and sitar player Shlomo Oz.
Rooted in deep artistic dialogue and international stage experience, Nagwa blends classical mastery with Middle Eastern traditions, jazz and flamenco. The ensemble performs in flexible formations, from an intimate duo to an expanded chamber ensemble with strings, each tailored to the artistic vision and scale of the event, while preserving its refined, immersive and distinctive sound.
Albums
This new album presents Nagwa in a refined and expanded formation, featuring specially crafted arrangements for the ensemble together with a classical string quartet. The integration of strings deepens the harmonic texture and enriches the dynamic range, creating a powerful dialogue between chamber music precision and Nagwa’s distinctive ethno-jazz language. The result is an elegant, emotionally resonant work that elevates the ensemble’s sound into a broader, cinematic and orchestral dimension while preserving its intimate acoustic core.
A colorful instrumental album inspired by Shlomo’s rich western classical background, spiced with the magical flavors of Indian, Flamenco & Jazz music. Accompanied by various
musicians on a variety of instruments (Kamanche, Turkish Clarinet, Sarod, Bouzouki, Accordion,
piano, Contrabass, Cajon) integrated with the guitar to create a rich melodic, harmonious,
meditative and rhythmical journey.
This special album produced by the original classic Nagwa Trio: Cello, Flute and guitar. This album express their precise and clean sound with the development and maturity of the group. Moreover the addition of their vocals as an additional instrument brings warmth to the musical pieces presented.
In February 2007, a tragically accident took the life of Shai Maivar (Cello) during his tour in Brazil. The void of his death put a hold all musical activities Nagwa was involved in. The following year, in February 2008, during the memorial evening for Shai, they announced the release of the album “Third Glass” in his memory.
Website in the memory of Shai Maivar.
T
his album has established Nagwa as a unique voice in the world of instrumental music and in spite of the complexities that characterize their compositions, Nagwa’s music seems to find its way into the hearts of their listeners and captivate them with sensitivity and emotion. Nagwa has created a new and fascinating sound capturing the sensitivity and sharpness of the classics with the versatility and freedom of the ethnic-jazz. This album, presents Nagwa’s musical cooperation with some of the leading musicians in Israel.
This new album presents Nagwa in a refined and expanded formation, featuring specially crafted arrangements for the ensemble together with a classical string quartet. The integration of strings deepens the harmonic texture and enriches the dynamic range, creating a powerful dialogue between chamber music precision and Nagwa’s distinctive ethno-jazz language. The result is an elegant, emotionally resonant work that elevates the ensemble’s sound into a broader, cinematic and orchestral dimension while preserving its intimate acoustic core.
A colorful instrumental album inspired by Shlomo’s rich western classical background, spiced with the magical flavors of Indian, Flamenco & Jazz music. Accompanied by various
musicians on a variety of instruments (Kamanche, Turkish Clarinet, Sarod, Bouzouki, Accordion,
piano, Contrabass, Cajon) integrated with the guitar to create a rich melodic, harmonious,
meditative and rhythmical journey.
This special album produced by the original classic Nagwa Trio: Cello, Flute and guitar. This album express their precise and clean sound with the development and maturity of the group. Moreover the addition of their vocals as an additional instrument brings warmth to the musical pieces presented.
In February 2007, a tragically accident took the life of Shai Maivar (Cello) during his tour in Brazil. The void of his death put a hold all musical activities Nagwa was involved in. The following year, in February 2008, during the memorial evening for Shai, they announced the release of the album “Third Glass” in his memory.
Website in the memory of Shai Maivar.
This album has established Nagwa as a unique voice in the world of instrumental music and in spite of the complexities that characterize their compositions, Nagwa’s music seems to find its way into the hearts of their listeners and captivate them with sensitivity and emotion. Nagwa has created a new and fascinating sound capturing the sensitivity and sharpness of the classics with the versatility and freedom of the ethnic-jazz. This album, presents Nagwa’s musical cooperation with some of the leading musicians in Israel.
Shlomo Oz
Shlomo Oz, Israeli composer and guitar master. Head leader of music teacher training (Guitar department) at Levinsky academic institution in Israel.
Shlomo creates original music by his own founder, Nagwa Ensemble and has published three successful albums alongside many albums in which he has participated. He performed many concerts around the globe among them: Israel Festival, world music and jazz festivals in New York, Texas, India, Switzerland, Germany, France and Mexico.
- 2004: Studying sitar playing in India with Ustad Sujaat Khan.
- 1997-1999: Studying Sitar playing in Switzerland with Mr. Amit Adiecha Ustad Rais Khan’s senior student.
- 1994-1997: Teaching Alexander Technique involves the development of a unique teaching method for musicians, which implements the principles of the technique in order to improve posture, breathing and playing skills. In light of this specialization, Shlomo received an intern / specialist visa in Switzerland.
- 1990-1994: With a bachelor’s degree, he received an honorary scholarship from the Swiss government to continue his M.A. studies at the Basel Academy of Music, where he studied with Prof. Oscar Ghiglia, the successor of Andres Segovia. He graduated with honors.
- 1985-1989: B.A. studies at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem where he studied classical guitar with Prof. Yossi Yerushalmi and composition with Prof. Mark Kopytman.
- 1980-1982: A matriculation music certificate at Rubin music high school in Jerusalem.
Projects
Nagwa has a rich collaboration variety with different artists and musical projects.
International touring program and new cross-cultural collaboration, Nagwa embarked on a curated international concert series, presenting selected works from Fearless alongside new original compositions in collaboration with guest artists from Europe. The project emphasized artistic dialogue across traditions and showcased the ensemble’s flexible formations, further strengthening its presence on the global festival circuit.
Recipient of the Independent Creators Fund Award granted by the Israeli Ministry of Culture for the creation and production of a new original Israeli instrumental work. The award recognized the project’s artistic excellence and its vision of bridging cultures and generations through contemporary composition. The supported work further reinforces Nagwa’s role as a leading voice in cross-cultural instrumental music, rooted in tradition while reaching toward new artistic horizons.
Participation in the international production “Broken Hallelujah”, a cross-cultural project presenting unique musical arrangements that intertwine traditional liturgical poetry with selected works inspired by Leonard Cohen’s legacy. The production created a profound dialogue between sacred texts and contemporary expression, bridging spiritual heritage with modern musical language. Through refined orchestration and distinctive interpretation, Shlomo contributed to a powerful artistic statement that resonated with diverse international audiences.
Premiere performance of the new album Fearless in a full ensemble production, featuring a classical string quartet and vocals. The expanded formation introduced specially crafted arrangements that elevated Nagwa’s sound into a rich chamber-orchestral dimension. The premiere received enthusiastic critical acclaim and extensive coverage in international media, marking a significant milestone in the ensemble’s artistic evolution.
Shlomo Oz was awarded a prestigious grant from Mifal HaPais, Israel’s national cultural foundation, for the creation and production of a new original instrumental performance. The award recognized his distinctive compositional voice and contribution to contemporary Israeli music. The commissioned work premiered in Israel as a fully produced concert project, further expanding Nagwa’s artistic repertoire and reinforcing its position within the international instrumental music scene.
International online collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation in a large-scale international musical project initiated by Spanish and Irish producers, bringing together musicians from conflict regions worldwide to create the online musical “What About Us.” Reflecting a universal human voice beyond religion, politics and borders, Nagwa’s piece “About Us” was selected as the opening work of the musical. The composition later became part of the new album Fearless, emerging from this unique cross-cultural initiative.
International touring program and new cross-cultural collaboration, Nagwa embarked on a curated international concert series, presenting selected works from Fearless alongside new original compositions in collaboration with guest artists from Europe. The project emphasized artistic dialogue across traditions and showcased the ensemble’s flexible formations, further strengthening its presence on the global festival circuit.
Recipient of the Independent Creators Fund Award granted by the Israeli Ministry of Culture for the creation and production of a new original Israeli instrumental work. The award recognized the project’s artistic excellence and its vision of bridging cultures and generations through contemporary composition. The supported work further reinforces Nagwa’s role as a leading voice in cross-cultural instrumental music, rooted in tradition while reaching toward new artistic horizons.
- Participation in the international production “Broken Hallelujah”, a cross-cultural project presenting unique musical arrangements that intertwine traditional liturgical poetry with selected works inspired by Leonard Cohen’s legacy. The production created a profound dialogue between sacred texts and contemporary expression, bridging spiritual heritage with modern musical language. Through refined orchestration and distinctive interpretation, Shlomo contributed to a powerful artistic statement that resonated with diverse international audiences.
Premiere performance of the new album Fearless in a full ensemble production, featuring a classical string quartet and vocals. The expanded formation introduced specially crafted arrangements that elevated Nagwa’s sound into a rich chamber-orchestral dimension. The premiere received enthusiastic critical acclaim and extensive coverage in international media, marking a significant milestone in the ensemble’s artistic evolution.
- Shlomo Oz was awarded a prestigious grant from Mifal HaPais, Israel’s national cultural foundation, for the creation and production of a new original instrumental performance. The award recognized his distinctive compositional voice and contribution to contemporary Israeli music. The commissioned work premiered in Israel as a fully produced concert project, further expanding Nagwa’s artistic repertoire and reinforcing its position within the international instrumental music scene.
International online collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation in a large-scale international musical project initiated by Spanish and Irish producers, bringing together musicians from conflict regions worldwide to create the online musical “What About Us.” Reflecting a universal human voice beyond religion, politics and borders, Nagwa’s piece “About Us” was selected as the opening work of the musical. The composition later became part of the new album Fearless, emerging from this unique cross-cultural initiative.
2017:
Participation in “Piyyut Festival”, Jerusalem: “Broken Prayer” –a unique production of the poems and works of the artist Leonard Cohen.
2014:
A Special collaboration of the Nagwa ensemble with the composer Tamar Muskal (New York) – A new arrangements for Shlomo’s musicwritten specially for the Nagwa Ensemble together with a string quartet with String Quartet in Tel Aviv.
2013:
- The launch of the third album “New Generation” by Shlomo Oz & Nagwa ensemble at Einav Center in Tel Aviv.
2010-2012:
Performances at various festivals in Israel with Nagwa ensemble and duet “Shir Le’Shlomo”– a string duet by Shlomo Oz and the strings artist Shir Sofer.
2009:
- Israel Festival, Jerusalem – “Between the Judean Mountains and the Caucasus Mountains” alongside Mark and Peretz Eliyahu and a guest singer from Azerbaijan.
- World Music Festival, Mexico city – A Special collaboration supported by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs with “Bustan Avraham” by Avshalom Farjun.
- Folk Museum, Zurich, Switzerland – special premiere concert alongside Swiss music artists for the new exhibition in recognition of the poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi.
2008:
Performance at the International Guitar Festival alongside Marina Maximilian Blumin and the Nagwa ensemble.
2007:
- The launch of the second album “Third Glass”.
- Nagwa Trio tour in collaboration with the Brazilian guitarist “Carioca” in Israel, Switzerland and Italy.
2006:
Israel Festival, Jerusalem – A performance with “Bustan Avraham” by Avshalom Farjun.
2005:
- The debut performance of Shlomo Oz’s first album with Nagwa trio and special guests at Einav Center in Tel Aviv.
- Special concerts in New York and Texas alongside Sitar Master Ustad Sujaat Khan.
2004:
Nagwa trio tour throughout India.
1994-1999:
Shlomo Oz concerts as a soloist throughout Switzerland, Italy, Germany and France.
1990:
Winning an international competition of young artists and received a scholarship to study for an artist degree in Switzerland.
1989:
After winning the Concerto Competition, Shlomo performed as a soloist with “Be’er Sheva Symphony Orchestra” conducted by Maestro Mendy Rodan.
1987:
Concert at international guitar festival in Hungary.
Videos
Nagwa Music
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