AVI VAKNIN

Avi Vaknin is a singer, composer, writer and music producer, born and raised in Sderot, Israel. His critically acclaimed debut album Square of the Lost was published in the summer of 2008. Music critic Amos Oren wrote: “A pearl in a sea of attempts by unknown artists. Vaknin has a unique voice that sounds rough and angelic, with fragile vocals and delightful melodies, with ethnic colors and soul music.

For ten years, Vaknin managed Sderock, a music club and rehearsal space for teenagers that cultivates young artists in Sderot. Using this framework, he created master classes, bringing major Israeli artists from the industry to work with Sderot’s youth.

Avi produced two albums with bands from Sderock: The Record Project (2001) and The Hope Project (2007).  With lyrics written by the youth of Sderot about the frustrations of life under Qassam rocket fire, The Hope Project combined the talents of three Hip Hop bands under Vaknin’s direction.  The project toured Israel to raise awareness about the situation in Sderot, and to give a voice to the expressions of Sderot’s youth.

From 2009 through 2012, Vaknin collaborated with Israeli music legend Shlomo Artzi on his album Happiness Express.

In 2014 he released a second album, First Light, which also earned him praise from critics and several of its singles have been featured widely on Israeli radio. With lyrics and melodies composed by Vaknin, this album also harnessed the talents and partnership of well-known Israeli rock musician Micha Sheetrit, who served as the artistic consultant and producer Patrick Sabag.

Day Dream shows Vaknin’s ability to move the audience with touching lyricsand quiet intensity that makes the listening experience unforgettable

Vaknin has composed several successful film scores for directors Robby Elmaliah and Ronen Amar, including for award winning films Family Pizza, Election, Hula and Natan, Fearless, and The Unwelcoming. His score for Raash Masach by Inbal Sagi, won Best Score at Israel’s Cinema South Festival. The score for About Love and People, a play by Hanoch Levin, was co-scored by Vaknin and Haim Uliel.

Based on his score for Family Pizza, Vaknin created an electronic audio-visual phenomenon, The Mechanic Bird, a project that combined music, dance, and video, and  toured for 3 years.

As a producer, he has produced Traveling in Time, Micha Biton’s first solo album, and the debut album of Ha Notchim, an Israeli rock band.

In 2014 Vaknin opened Oznia Studios, a music production and recording studio in Tel Aviv. At Oznia he has continued to collaborate with other Israeli artists. His specific work on Kobi Oz’s latest album, with songs by Arik Einstein, received critical praise.

In addition to writing, singing, and producing, Avi plays piano, guitar, bass guitar, and drums.