Ize Trio

Ize Trio: Global Rhythms, Harmonious Voices

Born at Boston's Berklee Global Jazz Institute under Danilo Pérez's mentorship, Ize Trio unites three musical forces - from the US, Cyprus and Palestine. Bonded by their shared passion for multiculturalism and social activism through music.

In 2019, the trio officially formed, fusing diverse backgrounds through concepts of improvisation and Global Jazz. Their journeys converged amid lockdowns, remotely recording their first single "Global Prayer" with animator Annabelle Ponterdolph.

Reconvening in 2022, they dedicated themselves to developing an authentic collective sound representing their roots. 2023 brought a historic UN performance acknowledging the Palestinian Nakba crisis alongside singer Sana Moussa.

This year, Ize Trio raised $15,000 for Turkish earthquake victims during their San Diego concert with guest vocalist Heiraza, featured on their new album release. Through exemplary artistry and activism, they harmonize a global celebration of cultural exchange.

He has appeared at numerous international festivals, including the Newport Jazz Festival, the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival, Abu Dhabi Music Festival, and many more around the world. He has performed at such notable venues as the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center, the Lincoln Theater, and others across the U.S., and has performed alongside world-renowned musicians, including Ron Carter, Roger Waters, Terri Lyne Carrington and a host of other musicians, Alatrash has received international acclaim from media around the world for his musical arrangement/producing a cover of the Beatles song “Drive My Car.”

Alatrash studied at The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Palestine. He has both a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Cello Performance and a post master’s fellowship from the Berklee College of Music.

He also received the 2012 ASCAP Jimmy Van Heusen award, the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Gerald Wilson award for his big band composition “Mumphis”, the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award for jazz instrumentalist, and three awards from the National Foundation for the Arts (YoungArts) in classical composition, jazz composition and jazz keyboard.

Having grown up with the musical traditions of the Middle East/Mediterranean regions and later having moved to the U.S. on 2001 to study Jazz at the Berklee College of Music, Lernis is considered to be bimusical. In addition to his extensive training and experience on drumset, he specializes in a number of traditional instruments such as the darbuka (goblet shaped drum), bendir (frame drum), riq (Arabic tambourine) and santur (hammered microtonal dulcimer). 

In 2008, George released his first album as a bandleader, Shapes of Nature featuring the George Lernis Jazz Quartet. On June 10th, 2022 George  released his second album “Between Two Worlds” which features world renowned bass player John Patitucci. The music for his new album/initiative was inspired by the ongoing stereotyping of immigrants based on their origins, religions and skin color. Being an immigrant himself, this is a social issue that he is deeply passionate about.