Shye Ben Tzur is a New-York born Israeli musician, poet, and singer, based in India and Israel. In the mid 90’s he studied under Ustad Zia Fariddudin Dagar and spent extended periods of time in Ajmer. There at the Sufi Shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, his work on Qawwali devotional Sufi music has begun. For several years afterward, he focused on composing original Qawwali music to Hebrew, Urdu, and Hindi poetries. At his work, he explored and experimented with North Indian music and rhythm in conjunction with Western elements, creating a unique blend of the two worlds. Shye regularly collaborates with Rajasthani folk musicians.
Read MoreDuring the weeks of lockdown, while spending time at home, I often found myself humming the song “We Shall Overcome”. I always associated this song with the elevating force of people singing together. Suddenly, in this reality of seclusion, we found ourselves making efforts to reach out, striving to experience each other from a distance.
As people lost their lives and health, their livelihood and future, the lines: “We'll walk hand in hand.” And, “We are not afraid...” resonated with renewed meaning. I sang to myself, repeating those comforting words to my wife and daughter, clinging to the sentiment that, “Deep in my heart, I do believe that we shall overcome someday!”
On a recent afternoon, while the streets around were empty and the quarantine enforced its silence, I sat in our living room to record. This rendition is an intimate contemplation on our present times.
During the weeks of lockdown, while spending time at home, I often found myself humming the song “We Shall Overcome”. I always associated this song with the elevating force of people singing together. Suddenly, in this reality of seclusion, we found ourselves making efforts to reach out, striving to experience each other from a distance.
Read MoreRadiohead’s guitarist joins the Israeli musician and poet on a journey in Sufi devotional music. Ecstatic, brassy and hypnotic, it’s border-crossing at its best." - Sunday Times, 100 Best Records of the Year. The album was also featured in Clive Davis’s ‘World Music/Folk’ picks.
On 2010 Shye’s second album “SHOSHAN” was released with great response from worldwide media. The album was rated Top 10 at the prestigious "Songlines World Music Magazine (UK)". It was also Top 5 at the album of the year chart (non Bollywood music) of the Times of India Chennai. “SHOSHAN” is a cross-cultural mix of passions, genres, languages and irresistible beats. For this project Shye collaborated with a group of top international musicians: famous Indian singer Shubha Mudgal, the Spanish guitar maestro Fernando Perez, Yossi Fine, Mishko M’ba, Eli Magen, Zohar Fresco, and many others. In India Shye and his group have performed in the most respected venues and music Festivals, singing music in Hebrew, Urdu and Hindi.
Ben Tzur'S debut album "HEEYAM" (Supreme love in Arabic), was recorded in India, Israel and USA. It was released in 2003 with great acceptance from both audience and critic. In "HEEYAM" Shye worked with traditional Sufi Qawwali (a form of ecstatic Muslim devotional music) singers, who have been learning his compositions and poetry, and sung them in Hebrew. From his personal life experiences Ben Tzur has succeeded to bring his own ancient culture alive into a unique cross cultural work.