The Platina

Israeli jazz ensemble formed in 1971 by saxophonist, flautist and composer Roman Kunsman, drummer Aharon 'Arale' Kaminski and guitarist Yitzhak Klepter. The group originally worked as a backing band to Arik Einstein and later Chava Alberstein and initially had a jazz-rock style. Over the next five years they went through numerous personnel changes with Kunsman and Kaminski as the two constant members. The group's musical style also changed on their albums, moving towards hard bop, post bop and modal jazz. The Platina's performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1974 played a significant role in giving the group an international following. After recording the album "The Girl With The Flaxen Hair" in 1976 they disbanded. The Platina reunited in the mid 1990s, performing and releasing a live album in 1995.