Shye Ben Tzur

Shye Ben Tzur is composer, producer, Poet and performer who lives between India and Israel. He composes Qawwalis, instrumental and devotional music in Hebrew, Urdu and Hindi. Ben Tzur have been living, and creating music in India and Israel over a decade. His journey to the Indian sub continent has begun while searching for a Classical Indian music teacher and a guide. After years of studying Indian classical music in the traditional manner, Ben Tzur began to compose traditional Sufi Qawwali music but using his own language, Hebrew.

After attending a concert in Jerusalem by the Indian classical musicians Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Zakir Hussain, Ben Tzur became interested in Indian music, which brought him into contact with Qawwali. He went to Ajmer in India (the site of the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti. 

HEEYAM

Ben Tzur debut album Heeyam (meaning Supreme love in Arabic), was recorded in India, Israel and USA. It was released in 2003, and earned great applause. In the album Heeyam Shye has worked with traditional Sufi Qawwali singers, (Qawwali is a form of ecstatic Muslim devotional music) 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. 

SHOSHAN 

On 2010 Shye’s second album titled “SHOSHAN” was released and received great responses from worldwide media. Among them Shoshan was rated as: Top 10 in Songlines world music magazine UK. Top 5 album of the year of non Bolliwood music, Times of India Chennai… Shoshan is a cross-cultural mix of passions, genres, languages and irresistible beats. Besides working with the Qawwal, and Rajasthan Folck musicians communities across India, in the past few years Shye has been collaborating with various folk musicians from the Rajasthan desert. In addition to musical ventures with Indian Folk artists, Shye has collaborated with the 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. Shye’s first collection of poems Souls expressions was published in 1999 in Israel. A new book with a collection of his poetry “Love poems of worship” is soon to be published in Israel.

In May 2014 Shye had his debut London concert, in front of a full house at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Collaborating with Radiohead Guitarist  Jonny Greenwood. You can read about it in the following link:

http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/radioheads-jonny-greenwood-on-performing-with-shye-bentzur-at-the-alchemy-festival-9382301.html

The Concert has been the premier for his new live show, and a new upcoming album featuring his band members.

Shye Ben Tzur : Music compositions, Vocal, , Guitar Flute.

Zakir Ali Qawwal :  Qawwali Vocal and Harmonium - Ajmer India

Zaki Ali Qawwal  Qawwali Vocal:- Ajmer India

Chugge Khan Manganiar :  Rajasthani percussion - Jaisalmer India

Nihal Khan Manganiar : Dholak Barmer India

Itamar Duari (Yemen Blues) : percussion and music production : Israel

Leat Sabba: Cello: Israel 

You Can check out more of  Shye Ben Tzur's work on his website:

www.shyebentzur.com

You Can check out more of  Shye Ben Tzur's music and live concerts videos on his Youtube channel:

www.youtube.com/shyebentzur