Zohar fresco was born in Israel to a Jewish family of
Turkish origin. As a child he started playing percussion instruments,
absorbing influences from the traditions around him' especially
from older musicians who came to Israel from countries in the
Middle East and Asia.
In his youth, he was influenced by the 80's music
revolution in Israel, years of evolution and innovations in the
Israeli music, where the integration between elements from east
and from west was growing.
During his musical journey, Zohar was part of
the band "Bustan Abraham", an ensemble in which both
Arab and Jewish musicians collaborated.
This acoustic band combining eastern and western
styles became one of the most important bands in this field in
Israel.
Zohar recorded five albums with "Bustan
Abraham", and toured Israel and the world around. He played
with "Ziryab", an ensemble dedicated to classical Turkish
and Arab music under the artistic supervision of the oud player
Teisir Elias.
During the past decade, he recorded and participated
in Ahinoam Nini –"NOA"s both Israeli and international
records As well as touring with her and Gil Dor around the world.
As time passed by Zohar developed his own personal
and unique style in hand drums, Tof Miriam- frame drum, and more.
He slowly became a well known artist, highly acclaimed on the
international percussion scene.
He played and performed with Glen Velez, ustad
Zakir Hossian (when with Bustan Abraham), Ahmet Misirli, Philip
Glass, Ross Daly, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, ustad Hariprasad Chaurasia
and others.
Zohar is a member in the trio "MOZDZER DANIELSSON
FRESCO". Together with pianist Leszek Mozdzer and the double
bass player Lars Danielsson. They trio recorded two albums todate
"The Time" and "Between Us and The Light".
Both albums reached double platinum status.
Recently, Zohar recorded with Ara Dinkjian of
Night Ark fame, an album of a live concert in the Oud festival
of Jerusalem. The album, by An Armanian in America" was released
in the US and in Israel via Labeleh Records.
Zohar conducts workshops and performs solo with
his original compositions for frame drums and voice.