Meir Banai Bio
Meir Banai is one of the most important, fascinating and exciting artists in the contemporary Israeli music scene.
From the release of his first album in 1984, he is considered an original and inventive musician with a unique style, and a singer with a strong soulful voice who inspires many Israeli musicians.
Meir’s work throughout the years has been an individual and personal experience, as well as a varied and exciting work of art that intertwines moods with musical styles in a rare genuine way that always remains loyal to his own inner truth. In Meir’s music, one can hear influences ranging from acoustic and electric rock to country and folk, ethnic rhythms, blues and soul.
Meir’s lyrics are emotionally charged with a cry for truth, honesty, and a yearning for a pure and a better world.
Meir has released ten albums to date; some are considered significant cornerstones in Israeli musical culture. Many of his songs have become classics. His concerts and albums are extremely successful.
Meir Banai was born in Jerusalem to a traditional Jewish family. He used to accompany his father to the Sephardic synagogue where he was acquainted with the fascinating prayers and liturgical poems that have inspired his latest album “Shema Koli” (”Hear My Voice”). On this album, Meir delved into Jewish medieval poetry and the works of famous Jewish poets of the time such as Solomon Ibn Gabirol, Abraham Ibn Ezra and others. He also chose prayers from Jewish religious holy days like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and more. Meir’s original music to these poems is powerful and characteristic of his own personal style. Holy poems written 500 years ago sound like contemporary prayers in Meir Banai’s voice.
The new show, named after the album “Sh’ma Koli”, combines the best of Meir Banai’s songs from previous albums and songs from the new one. This exciting mixture makes the show a unique and fascinating experience for any viewer. The success of both the album and the performance were welcomed with passionate reviews from the critics as well as the audience. The album and the musical performance were described as having pure musical beauty and a rarity of artistic art.
