Itay Morchi

Itay Morchi is an Israeli-born jazz drummer based in New York City, best known as the working drummer in pianist Johnny O'Neal's trio, a role he has held since 2016. Raised in Israel, he began playing drums at age six and trained at the Thelma Yellin School of Arts before studying jazz through the Israel Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv in partnership with The New School. He moved to New York in 2013 on an artist visa and became a fixture of the city's straight-ahead scene, appearing regularly at Smalls, Mezzrow, and Smoke. In 2014 he released his debut album as a leader, All Original, on Razdaz Recordz. His playing is rooted in the swinging bebop tradition.