Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Israeli clarinetist and composer Itay Dayan is considered one of today’s most promising voices in klezmer music. Renowned for his virtuosic playing and genre-defying creativity, Itay seamlessly weaves together klezmer, jazz, and classical influences, crafting a sound that honors tradition while fearlessly exploring new musical frontiers.
His recent album, "Hoffman's Farewell", demonstrates Itay's proficiency within the traditional klezmer idiom and his pursuit in looking for new sounds and options for his music. Drawing inspiration from different musical worlds, Itay played with various ensembles such as the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Meitar Ensemble and the Israel Klezmer Orchestra, with which he has toured internationally.
While studying for his M.Mus at New England Conservatory and his B.Mus at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, Itay won scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, Ronen Foundation, Ima Foundation, and the Zvi and Ofra Meitar Family Foundation. Notably, Itay is a recipient of the Siday Fellowship for Musical Creativity by the Jerusalem Institute of Contemporary Music, and of the Peter Row Global Musician Award.