Jazz in the house
Yogev Shetrit Trio to perform concert in Placitas home
Yogev Shetrit has become smitten with New Mexico.
The Israeli-based composer and drummer will make his third trip to the state for a performance in Placitas.
“I really like New Mexico because of how magical it is,” he says. “I think for my next tour, I’m going to try to do more concerts in Santa Fe and Taos.”
Shetrit will perform with his trio on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Placitas.
He will perform songs from his latest album, “Serenity.”
“I’m excited to finally have my sophomore album out,” he says. “After I released my first album a few years ago, I had a few compositions left over. These needed to be on an album, so I began to work. By 2019, I knew it was time to release the album.”
Music has been a constant in Shetrit’s life.
He began studying classical music, playing piano, and eventually that led to his playing flute.
Then he added guitar, drums and percussion.
Shetrit composes on piano because it’s easiest for him, though he’ll pull out the flute on some occasions.
“When I’m composing, I’m owning every aspect of it,” he says. “For me, it’s always going in at my full potential and then pushing forward. It’s amazing to me to see how far I can push myself.”
“Serenity” features compositions inspired by his life.
“I wrote the song ‘Aba’ for my father,” he says. “Then there are two songs which are about my son and daughter each. They mean so much to me, I’m constantly inspired by them. I also composed a song about Yemen culture. I really like the Yemen rhythm.”
The album contains nine original compositions and one cover song.
“I decided to take ‘Besame Mucho’ and make it my own,” he says. “I’m not interested in doing a lot of covers, but this song always spoke to me.”
Shetrit is looking forward to playing the house concert in Placitas because it will have an intimate feeling.
“I tried to play a club, and it didn’t work out,” he says. “We will slow it down and create a performance that everyone will like. Anytime I get to play in New Mexico, it is wonderful. I will always to come back a few times a year.”