Biography

Internationally acclaimed harmonica player and composer Yotam Ben-Or is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive and in-demand artists on his instrument. Described by Bass Musician Magazine as “playing at a level that, in my opinion, matches Stevie Wonder himself“, and as “an artist whose vision is so distinct, so intuitively expressive, that comparisons to the greats feel not only appropriate, but inevitable” by Paris Move, the Belgian-Israeli musician has established an international career as both a bandleader and sought-after collaborator.

Born and raised in a small village called Nataf, Ben-Or began studying piano at the age of nine with his uncle who gifted him a harmonica. Fascinated by the small instrument, he soon made it his primary musical voice. After graduating high school, he attended the joint program of the Tel Aviv Conservatory and The New School for Jazz in New York. During this period he received the AICF Scholarship (2014–2016), won First Prize at the Rostov International Jazz Competition (2013), and recorded with the group Jupiter on All Original, a project presented and produced by bassist Avishai Cohen.

In 2014, Ben-Or moved to New York City on a full scholarship to attend The New School, graduating in 2016. In 2015 he was selected to participate in the prestigious Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead residency at the Kennedy Center under the direction of Jason Moran.

As a bandleader, Ben-Or has performed at renowned venues and festivals including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, BRIC JazzFest, Le Duc des Lombards (Paris), and Festival da Jazz St. Moritz. His trio and quartet blend jazz with influences from Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, and classical traditions, creating a deeply lyrical and rhythmically adventurous sound.

Ben-Or has recorded and performed with an eclectic range of internationally acclaimed artists, including Edmar Castañeda, Silvana Estrada, Lizzy McAlpine, Lars Danielsson, Romeo Santos, Gonzalo Grau, Hélio Alves, Shai Maestro, Sonex, and YOGI. As a sideman, he has appeared at iconic venues such as Blue Note New York and SummerStage in Central Park. In 2025, he served as the chair harmonica player for the Broadway production of Floyd Collins at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center.

A prodigy of Grammy-winning harmonica virtuoso Grégoire Maret, Ben-Or has also made regular journeys to Central America since 2015 to study Afro-Caribbean traditions with master musicians including Manley "Piri" López. These musical explorations have become an integral part of his compositional voice.

Ben-Or's discography reflects his evolving artistic vision. His debut album, Sitting on a Cloud (2018), introduced his distinctive approach to the harmonica as a modern jazz voice. It was followed by Endless Deliberations (2022), and Impermanence (2025), featuring acclaimed Swedish bassist and cellist Lars Danielsson. Across his work, Ben-Or continues to expand the expressive possibilities of the harmonica while bringing together diverse musical traditions into a singular and unmistakable sound.

Photo by Liam Rosenthal