On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with guitarist Oz Noy for a conversation about the musical path he has built over three decades in New York, the players who have helped shape his music, and why clarity and groove remain at the center of his approach.
Oz talks about arriving in New York after already establishing himself as a working musician in Israel. Interestingly, becoming a solo artist was never really the plan. He simply wanted to play well, work with great musicians, and get gigs. His regular performances at the Bitter End gradually became a laboratory for developing his own music, eventually leading to recordings and a career as a bandleader.
We also get into Oz's fascination with great rhythm sections and the remarkable drummers he has worked with over the years, including Keith Carlock, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, Anton Fig, and others. Oz's music has always been rooted in groove, and he talks about how moving to New York put him in the orbit of many of the musicians he had admired.
Oz also discusses his approach to practicing, improvisation, and teaching, along with his new instructional book on triad comping. For Oz, complexity isn't necessarily the goal. He is drawn to musical ideas that are clear and focused—whether that's an improvised line, a chord voicing, or an entire composition.
We finish by talking about his growing interest in the organ trio format, an upcoming organ trio album planned for 2027, and his loose, collaborative project with Joe Bonamassa, Will Lee, and Steve Ferrone. It's a conversation about developing a voice over time, finding the right musicians, and allowing musical ideas to evolve naturally.
Key Takeaways
• Oz never initially set out to become a solo artist. His career as a bandleader grew organically from playing his own gigs after moving to New York.
• His regular performances at the Bitter End became an important laboratory for developing his compositions, sound, and musical identity.
• Groove is central to Oz's music, which has led to long-running collaborations with drummers including Keith Carlock, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, and Anton Fig.
• Oz believes musical ideas need time to develop. Concepts often have to "marinate" before they become a natural part of a musician's playing.
• His approach to triads and comping reflects a larger musical philosophy: clarity can often be more effective than density or unnecessary complexity.
• Hearing The Beatles helped ignite Oz's interest in electric guitar, while seeing the Pat Metheny Group's Still Life (Talking) tour in Israel became a life-changing musical experience.
• Oz's current interest in organ trio playing has opened up a different musical space, giving him another improvising voice in the band while changing the overall texture and feel of the music.
Music from the Episode
Get Down - Oz Noy
Solar - Oz Noy
All the Things You Are - Oz Noy
Zig Zag - Oz Noy
About the Podcast
The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast about the people who make music and the experiences that shape them. Hosted by musician Brad Williams, the show features conversations with artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, and other creative voices about their careers, influences, collaborations, creative process, and the craft behind the music.
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