Israel’s iconic singer-songwriter, guitarist, and UNICEF goodwill ambassador David Broza will embark on a coast-to-coast winter tour this December, celebrating 40 years since the release of his best-known song, “Yihye Tov” (Things Will Be Better). Broza will bring his talents to the Lawrence Family JCC?on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. The well-known composition was written in 1977 during the Arab-Israeli peace talks between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and has become an anthem of the Israeli peace movement.
Joining Broza on stage is a world-class group of seasoned and rising stars: From Palestine, Berklee College of Music graduate and qanun virtuoso Ali Paris; from Israel and NYC on guitars Jonathan Levy; from Israel on piano and keyboards Shaul Eshet; from New York, also a Berklee graduate, on recorders Tali Rubinstein; from Israel on drums Yuval Lion, and also from Israel on bass guitar Uri Kleinman.
The tour follows the release of Broza’s album titled “The Set List,” a collection of studio and live recordings celebrating David Broza’s career as one of Israel’s most important cultural figures. “Yihye Tov” is represented on “The Set List” with a live version recorded in 2007 at Broza’s annual concert held at the totemic fortress of Masada, and features special guests Shawn Colvin and Jackson Browne.
“We need to communicate if we are not to leave it to the voices of doubters, of prejudice and hatred. You cannot allow people to think that it is just black and white. We need education if we are to learn how to create respect. It is not that I don’t see evil, bad, negativity, and violence. I see it and I refuse to submit to it,” Broza said recently in The Guardian.
Broza garnered widespread acclaim for his 2013 album “East Jerusalem West Jerusalem,” produced by Grammy Award-winner Steve Earle, and recorded in its entirety in the Palestinian Sabreen Studio in East Jerusalem. The work, featuring a band of both Israeli and Palestinian musicians, resulted in a beautiful, intimate documentary of the same name. Vanity Fair called the documentary “extraordinary” and added, “if no one else is going to try and heal the world, he will.” “East Jerusalem West Jerusalem” is currently streaming on Netflix. The title track, co-written by and featuring Wyclef Jean, appears on The Set List.
“The Set List” also includes “The Long Road,” featuring Irish singer Maura O’Connell. The song, written by Cliff Eberhardt, was recorded in 1998 but was shelved along with the ensuing album after Broza sustained serious injuries following a car crash.
Tickets cost $45 to $65. For more information, visit davidbroza.net. The Lawrence Family JCC?is located at 4126 Executive Drive.
