The Jewish Womens Association of Hong Kong will be presenting David Broza live in concert for one night only on 6 March, 2010 at the Leo Lee Center, Canadian School, Aberdeen, Hong Kong. All proceeds of the event will go to charity.

For thirty years, Israeli superstar David Broza has been considered one of the most dynamic and vibrant performers in the singer/songwriter world and a multi-platinum award artist.

The son of an Israeli/British businessman and a folk singer, Broza was born in Haifa in 1955, and was raised and educated in England and Spain. Broza’s grandfather, Wellesley Aron, cofounded the Arab-Israeli peace settlement, Neve Shalom-Wahat Al-Salam (The Oasis of Peace) and the Habonim youth movement.

Broza originally planned to become a graphic artist, and by age 17 was selling his paintings in the Rastro, Madrid’s famous Sunday flea market. However, after high school graduation he was drafted into a three-year term in the Israeli military. Stationed away from family and friends, he began playing guitar in cafes to earn extra money, and was eventually offered a record deal. Since he still hoped to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, he declined. He later recorded a tape to promote his live shows.

Filling concert halls with his famous guitar playing, ranging from flamenco flavoured rhythmic and percussion techniques, to whirlwind finger picking, to a signature rock and roll sound.

Critics have labelled Broza as “a post-modern Leonard Cohen” and the “Stevie Ray Vaughan” of folk rock. Broza’s American debut album, “Away From Home” was praised by the New York Times as one of the best pop albums of the year.

“Time of Trains”, his second American release, gained him recognition as one of the most important artists on the international music scene. Broza has made a mission of studying the work of American writers for the past several years, haunting libraries and bookstores, “always reading with a melody in my head.”

Truly spanning the globe, David Broza has immersed himself in numerous projects. In the US, he has spent time working with American poet, Matthew Graham, as well as teaching Master Creative Writing classes at the prestigious Bennington College. Broza’s time in Spain was spent collaborating with Spanish writers, leading to the completion of three Spanish CDs, as well as broadened audiences.

In Israel, Broza has performed with the Israeli Philharmonic many times, featuring his own music, including a self-composed classical suite.

Throughout the years, his global tours have resulted in collaborative performances with prominent musical figures such as Paul Simon, Al Dimeola, Bob Dylan, Spyro Gyra, Van Morrison, Jose Fernandez, Sting, and more.

Broza’s trip to Hong Kong will be his first ever in the region. “I have never performed in Asia! As a matter of fact it’s my first time East of Jerusalem and I am very much looking forward to the show,” he commented.

“I am not sure what to expect from the audience, I suppose there will be Israeli’s living in Hong Kong as well as some Spanish speakers,” he added. Broza will be in Hong Kong for 4 days and after that he will continue to the USA on tour.

“I will be releasing a new album in English on 23 February, an album with 12 new songs based on American legend singer song writer from Texas, Townes Van Zandt and my music,” he said.

Broza is also well known for his commitment and dedication to several humanitarian causes, predominantly, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Beginning in 1977, Broza has been working to bring the message of peace to the masses by joining peace movements, and singing what is now the anthem of the ‘Peace Now’ movement, his hit song, Yihye Tov.

Combatants for Peace is one amongst several organisations that are close to his heart. The members of this very special movement are Israelis soldiers and commanders that served in the I.D.F, alongside Palestinians involved in terrorist activity, some of whom have even served time in Israeli jails. Both parties vowed to put down their weapons and engage in dialogue rather than violence.

“And Givat Haviva is perhaps the oldest organisation of all”, says Broza. “It started with the kibbutz movement so it has a socialist side to it”. The pride of Givat Haviva is the established school of Arabic language which is considered the best in Israel. This well-known establishment is a great melting pot, and makes a perfect meeting spot for Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs. As a pro-peace-activist, Givat Haviva is the natural place to support. “Like Neve Shalom, it’s actually all about spreading the word”.

_{(Issue February 2010)}