Itzhak Ventura: live performer, composer, producer and Ney virtuoso. His long relationship with one of the oldest wind instruments in the east - the Ney (Middle Eastern end-blown reed flute) started in traveling to Istanbul where he learned how to play the Turkish and Arabic varieties of the ney. 
 The ney’s close relationship with Sufism led to Itzhak’s fascination with Sufi practice and philosophy and he discovered the Persian Sufis’ own variation of the instrument. With its totally different method of playing, learning this instrument and understanding the principles of Persian music meant starting all over again, so for several years he dedicated himself to its study. 
 In addition to playing with the Jerusalem Orchestra East & West since its inception in 2009, Itzhak has played with other renowned orchestras and musicians across a wide range of musical genres. His goal for his debut album was to create a new hybrid, combining both ancient ney flute styles and motifs with contemporary sounds and production, whilst still maintaining the traditional musical principals and ideology with which he was raised. 
 Aligned is an uplifting album laced with deep emotions and exquisite musicianship representing the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice to attain mastery of a musician’s chosen instrument.