About Gal Hecht

Gal Hecht is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from Rehovot, Israel, his music explores a personal approach to modern jazz, blending original compositions with a strong sense of groove, interaction, and lyrical expression. His influences range from artists such as Bill Evans and Fred Hersch to Brad Mehldau and Hiromi Uehara, shaping a sound that moves between tradition and contemporary language.

Gal began studying piano at the age of five, initially in classical music before discovering jazz and improvisation. He later continued his studies at the New School Special Jazz Program at the Tel Aviv Conservatory, where he began developing his voice as both a performer and bandleader.

During this time, he formed the ensemble Nu Ma, a funk-fusion jazz project that performed at venues and festivals across Israel, including the Shablulim Festival. Alongside his work as a bandleader, Gal has been active as a collaborator and session musician, working with emerging artists and exploring a wide range of musical settings.

He later moved to New York to study at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he trained under musicians including Aaron Goldberg, Jimmy Owens, Valery Ponomarev, Anat Cohen, and Sam Yahel. His time in New York further shaped his musical direction, connecting him to the city’s vibrant and evolving jazz scene.

In addition to performing, Gal is an active educator. He has taught at Yamaha Music School in Tel Aviv and Basher Music in Israel, and currently serves as a faculty member at the Encore Music Program in Brooklyn.

Now based in New York, Gal continues to develop new projects and performances that reflect his evolving musical voice, focusing on creating music that is both personal and deeply connected to the live experience.