We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ziv Kartaginer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ziv , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
When I was 23, I packed my big backpack and bought a one-way ticket to Portugal. It was a time of many endings in my life, which brought a lot of confusion and uncertainty, mixed with excitement for what was coming. I landed in Portugal with my good friend, we rented a car and drove all over the country. Later, we moved to Spain, volunteered on a goji berry farm, hiked to the highest mountain in Spain, and wandered around. At the end of our Spain chapter, my friend flew to the other side of the world to meet his girlfriend, and I was left with a dilemma: should I go back home, or keep traveling on my own? I decided to keep traveling. I went to France, Switzerland, Italy, England, and Scotland, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. On this trip, I met so many people who live life in such different ways. It was incredibly inspiring and opened my mind in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Alongside that, I had a lot of time alone—in foreign countries, without my friends, my family, my language, or anything familiar. That solitude gave me the space to dive deep into my true self, free from distractions or pressure, and discover my purpose. Toward the end of the trip, I felt a powerful urge to start making music. Traveling is one of my greatest passions, but the call to create music was even stronger. That was my sign: music is my purpose.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a trumpet player, composer, and arranger. I graduated the Jazz Institute Program at Rimon School of Music, and Berklee College of Music, with a double major in Performance and Contemporary Writing and Production. I am originally from the Jerusalem area, and my family heritage includes Tunisia, Bulgaria, and Poland, so I grew up surrounded by klezmer, Balkan, and Middle Eastern music. These diverse musical influences have profoundly shaped my artistic voice, and it is evident in many of my musical projects. Together with my classical and jazz education, my music is a fusion of all of my worlds.
As a trumpet player, I performed at notable festivals and venues across the middle east, Europe, and the U.S., both as a soloist and within an ensemble. In addition to that, I play and lead an ensemble I created called ‘The Middle Eastern Big Band’. We play my original music and arrangements, which include a fusion of western and middle eastern instruments and genres.
In addition to playing, I work as a composer and arranger. Recently I got to work with the Nu Deco Ensemble for their concert with Betty Who at the Miami Beach Bandshell. At Berklee, I took part in several prestigious productions, including the Disney Reimagined—100th Anniversary Celebration Concert, the Berklee Singers Showcase: The Music of Mariah Carey, the Great American Songbook: Dreams—The Music of Fleetwood Mac, and the Berklee Middle Eastern Festival. I’ve written for many ensembles of different kind, big bands, pop/rock, funk, orchestras, vocalists and more.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One of the most important qualities is professionalism and responsibility. A musician can be incredibly talented, but things like showing up on time, being prepared, and following through on commitments really matter—especially in a collaborative setting. These habits build trust, and as a bandleader, that’s something I rely on when putting a project together.
I’ve worked with some amazing musicians—both talented and kind—but sometimes reliability has been an issue. In those situations, I’ve had to make adjustments and call someone else for the next opportunity. On the positive side, if a musician isn’t the most skilled but is good enough for the gig—and I know I can rely on them to be punctual, prepared, and bring a positive attitude—I’ll absolutely keep calling them back. I try to live and work by this approach myself, and it has helped me build my career and work with people I truly want to collaborate with.
Another quality that has had a big impact on my journey is the ability to communicate and connect with people. Some people are naturally gifted in this area, while for others, it can be much more challenging. But I truly believe it’s something we can all work on. I used to be very shy, and starting a conversation was extremely difficult for me. It still can be hard sometimes, but I’ve learned that once I push past the fear and just speak from a genuine place—without overthinking—it almost always leads to meaningful conversations. Often, those conversations open doors to new work, collaborations, and musical opportunities.
I believe people are one of the keys to success, expression, and growth in music—whether it’s the musicians you play with, your audience, the family and friends who support you, or the experienced, high-level artists you meet along the way. That’s why developing the ability to connect and communicate is such a powerful skill.
The third quality I find essential is determination – staying focused and centered and never giving up. It’s well known that many great people in any field have faced countless failures, heard many “no’s,” and gone through difficult periods of doubt and struggle. I always knew this was true from hearing their stories, but I didn’t fully understand it until I experienced it myself—and saw my peers go through it too.
What I’ve noticed about myself and the musicians I admire is that we all keep trying, no matter what. We apply for concerts, go to auditions, send out our portfolios, and get rejected—over and over. But even during moments of low confidence, we know we’ll keep going and keep doing our best.
And every now and then, there’s a “yes”—an amazing opportunity that makes all the disappointments worth it. Sometimes, it’s like a snowball effect: you get accepted to one concert, then another, and another. In each of those projects, you meet and work with more talented people, which leads to even more opportunities. But none of that would happen if we gave up after the first, second, or even tenth “no.”
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I have two books that have helped me tremendously throughout my journey. The first is How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach, and the second is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. Interestingly, neither of these books talks about music, which is my professional field. Instead, they explore themes of self-development, healing, curiosity, discipline, inner conflict, and growth—all of which I believe are deeply relevant to anyone, especially to those who are on a path of personal evolution and striving to become the best version of themselves.
These books supported me during some of my most difficult times—periods of self-doubt, lack of confidence, and both personal and professional struggles. Beyond that, they served as a source of deep inspiration. They reminded me that there is always room to grow, to refine my craft, to become a better person, and to live with more intention and heart. They taught me that I can support others, contribute meaningfully, and still make space to care for myself, to listen to my voice, and to express myself with joy, depth, and authenticity.
There are countless insights and lessons within these books, but one that resonates with me deeply lately, is the importance of trusting my inner voice—my intuition. Time and again, I’ve found myself at a crossroads: choosing between what seems like the “safe,” logical path, or the less conventional, riskier one that doesn’t always make immediate sense—but feels right on a deeper level. Every time I’ve chosen to follow my intuition, it’s led me somewhere powerful. Not always easy—often those paths came with challenges and uncertainty—but they always felt aligned with who I truly am. Those choices have been some of the most meaningful and transformative of my life. They’ve helped shape my journey, not just as a musician, but as a human being trying to live with purpose and integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://zivkartaginer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zivkartaginer_music/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kartaginerziv
Image Credits
Ari Mei-Dan
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