Yosef Gutman

Yosef Gutman Levitt is a Jerusalem-based acoustic bass guitarist and composer originally from South Africa. Born in 1979, he grew up on a farm outside Johannesburg, an experience that continues to shape his music. Levitt began playing the electric bass at sixteen, inspired by Jaco Pastorius and Weather Report, and earned a scholarship to Berklee College of Music after arranging the South African national anthem. Following his graduation, he moved to New York City, where he collaborated with notable musicians such as Lionel Loueke and Ben Monder. After a hiatus from music to focus on family and technology, he returned to his musical roots in Jerusalem in 2018, releasing over a dozen albums on his Soul Song Records label.

Levitt's music blends contemporary jazz with spiritual exploration, often incorporating traditional Hasidic melodies alongside jazz, Latin, classical, and Middle Eastern influences. His recent works include the 2022 album "Upside Down Mountain," praised for its melodic beauty, and the 2024 release "The World And Its People," described as "honest Jewish jazz". Critics have recognized his music for its humanity and spiritual depth, highlighting its "luminous, open-hearted and wholly unique" qualities. Levitt has collaborated with a range of artists and has received acclaim from various music publications.