Tamir Muskat
Encyclopedia
Tamir Muskat is a musician/producer-engineer who was born and raised in Tel Aviv
, Israel
as son of a Romanian immigrant. As a teenager, he was already a prominent rock drummer and percussionist. Early on, Tamir started producing Israel’s first thrash metal records in his basement studio but also began working with Sephardic Eastern singers of Greek and Turkish origin in a highly-ornamented style that is Middle Eastern in nature.
Tamir immigrated to the United States
in 1995 and joined the band Izabo
. In 1996, Tamir joined the internationally acclaimed band Firewater as a drummer and producer. With Firewater, he toured the world and made three albums, two of which he produced. Tamir founded Vibromonk Records with Dan Shatzky, which has become an important music production studio in New York City
. Since then Tamir has produced albums with exceptional artists from around the world, and has helped create a unique musical palette. As a member of the instrumental trio Big Lazy, he released The Big Apple's Creme de la Crème, called primeval, lurid, mournful, frantic, pretty, dissonant, stark, lush by The Village Voice and elegantly gritty stunningly beautiful music by The New Yorker. Big Lazy has written music for various films, and toured with The White Stripes, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Reverent Horton Heat, Tom Tom Club and Firewater.
In 2002, Tamir launched a project called J.U.F. with Ori Kaplan
and members of Gogol Bordello
. This electro/Gypsy/punk band created a new music scene in New York City, making remixes for Gypsy labels in Europe and DJing. The collective Balkan Beat Box
is a progression of this style of music, taking a worldly approach to the music of their ancestors and evolving it to not only include the region of the world that they personally emigrated from, but also to incorporate the musical styles from their parents and grandparents birthplaces.
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as son of a Romanian immigrant. As a teenager, he was already a prominent rock drummer and percussionist. Early on, Tamir started producing Israel’s first thrash metal records in his basement studio but also began working with Sephardic Eastern singers of Greek and Turkish origin in a highly-ornamented style that is Middle Eastern in nature.
Tamir immigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1995 and joined the band Izabo
Izabo
Izabo is an Israeli band. Their musical style is diverse, ranging from indie rock, disco and Middle Eastern music.-Biography:Most of the band members are experienced musicians on the Israeli music scene. The lead singer and guitarist, Ran Shem-Tov is a versatile producer, who worked with artists...
. In 1996, Tamir joined the internationally acclaimed band Firewater as a drummer and producer. With Firewater, he toured the world and made three albums, two of which he produced. Tamir founded Vibromonk Records with Dan Shatzky, which has become an important music production studio in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Since then Tamir has produced albums with exceptional artists from around the world, and has helped create a unique musical palette. As a member of the instrumental trio Big Lazy, he released The Big Apple's Creme de la Crème, called primeval, lurid, mournful, frantic, pretty, dissonant, stark, lush by The Village Voice and elegantly gritty stunningly beautiful music by The New Yorker. Big Lazy has written music for various films, and toured with The White Stripes, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Reverent Horton Heat, Tom Tom Club and Firewater.
In 2002, Tamir launched a project called J.U.F. with Ori Kaplan
Ori Kaplan
Ori Kaplan is a jazz saxophonist from Israel. He moved to the United States in 1991. He has worked with Tom Abbs and the Balkan Beat Box.-Career:...
and members of Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring.Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music...
. This electro/Gypsy/punk band created a new music scene in New York City, making remixes for Gypsy labels in Europe and DJing. The collective Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box is an Israeli musical group founded by Tamir Muskat, Ori Kaplan of Firewater and Big Lazy, and Tomer Yosef . As a musical project they often cooperate with a host of other musicians both in the studio as well as live...
is a progression of this style of music, taking a worldly approach to the music of their ancestors and evolving it to not only include the region of the world that they personally emigrated from, but also to incorporate the musical styles from their parents and grandparents birthplaces.