David Broza at The Guest Apartment

A special segment of the Guest Apartment this week starring Israeli superstar David Broza and legendary sideman GE Smith... The pair were kind enough to visit us last month while Broza was in town working to help set up up his latest recorded release. Titled Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry of Townes Van Zandt, the album is built upon some long lost, poetry Broza inherited from Townes Van Zandt sometime after he passed in '97. Restructuring the prose and building the songs around it would take several years to flesh out, though I think you'll find the wait well worth it. In the end, what's apparent is that these songs, though removed from the tradition of the country folk legend, fit ever so gracefully upon the wings of Broza's international flare. In this re-imagined format of the Guest Apartment, Broza and Smith discuss the roots of the project, what it means to be a part of Van Zandt's towering legacy, and perform a few songs along the way. It's an incredibly unique session, and it's an honor to have it on Baeble. - David Pitz

For thirty years now, Israeli superstar David Broza has been considered one of the most dynamic and vibrant performers in the singer/songwriter world.

His charismatic and energetic performances have brought to worldwide audiences, fusions of three different countries in which he was raised: Israel, Spain, and England, filling concert halls with his famous guitar playing, ranging from flamenco flavored rhythmic and percussion techniques, to whirlwind finger picking, to a signature rock and roll sound. Broza unites the three worlds by utilizing his ability to take on the troubadour style tradition, featuring lyrics of the worlds' greatest poets.

Truly spanning the globe, David Broza has immersed himself in numerous projects. In the U.S., 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 C.D.'s, 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.

More than a singer/songwriter, David Broza is 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. A recent project has been writing and recording with the Palestinian music group, Sabreen, the song 'Belibi', which featured Broza, Sabreen's Wissam Murad, and two children's choirs, one from each side of the conflict. Though met with controversial reactions from around the world, both Israeli's and Palestinians strongly favored the project, as did the United Nations D.C. based organization, In Search for Common Ground, which presented awards to both artists in November of 2006.

Most recently, Broza has dedicated most of his time to developing and producing a new show with the internationally renowned group, Mayumana. Together they have crafted a joint show featuring Broza's music, 'Behuntos', which has been a success, with over 200 sold out shows. Currently concentrating on writing new songs for his upcoming Hebrew C.D., as well as his next English C.D., Broza expects to complete the projects in the upcoming year. David's PBS Pledge Special, with guests Shawn Colvin and Jackson Browne is due to be released nationwide in December 2007.