Adam Ben Ezra

Adam Ben Ezra

Adam Ben Ezra is a Tel Aviv-born upright bass virtuoso, composer and multi-instrumentalist working in instrumental jazz. Born in 1982, he begins on violin at the age of five and takes up guitar at nine before moving to double bass at 16, an instrument that becomes central to his work. He also teaches himself clarinet, oud and cajon, adding them to his live setup.

Style and instrumentation

His music draws on jazz, Latin and Mediterranean elements, and he cites influences as varied as Bach, Sting and Chick Corea. He builds arrangements around original compositions and cover versions, often using effects, pedals and looping to create a dense, orchestral sound. He performs both solo and as part of a trio with guitar and percussion, and he switches between instruments within a set and sometimes within the same song.

Career and performances

Ben Ezra works internationally and appears around the world, including support slots for Richard Bona, Mike Stern and Victor Wooten. He commissions a custom five-string bass with a removable neck to make travel easier and to extend the instrument’s range. He is also active on YouTube, where his performance videos combine humour, visual presentation and detailed editing, and have accumulated millions of views and large numbers of subscribers.

Projects and profile

His online presence forms an important part of his audience-building, connecting directly with listeners and helping drive interest in his recorded work. He is identified with a newer generation of musicians using digital platforms to present bass-led music in a more prominent, front-facing role.