Shimi Tavori

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Shimi Tavori
(שימי תבורי)
Background information
Birth name Shimshon Tawili
Born (1953-02-09) February 9, 1953
Israel
Origin Yemeni Hebrew origin
Genres Mizrahi music
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1975 – present
Website www.shimitavori.com

Shimi Tavori (Hebrew: שימי תבורי‎) (born Shimshon Tawili on February 9, 1953) is an Israeli singer of Yemenite Jewish origin. He performs in Hebrew and French mostly in the Mizrahi music tradition, considered one of its biggest stars.

Career

Tavori started out singing at nightclubs in Ramla, among them Calipso and Karish. After his service in the Israel Defense Forces, he recorded his first song, Helena, which was coldly received at first but later became a hit. His first major break came after David Halfon heard him perform a song that Halfon had written for another singer. Halfon introduced Tavori to Uzi Hitman in his early days as a songwriter.[1]

In 1976, the collaboration with Hitman led to Tavori's first record, Chipasti Shirim La'Tzet La'Olam ("I searched for songs to go out to the world"; Hebrew: חיפשתי שירים לצאת לעולם‎), including his first hit, Eyn Lee Ahavah ("I have no love"; Hebrew: אין לי אהבה‎), written by Eliezer Rabin. After the records release, Tavori was awarded first place in the Middle Eastern Singing Festival (Hebrew: פסטיבל הזמר המזרחי‎) with his song Shechora Ve'Nava" ("Black & Beautiful"). The following year Tavori placed second at the same festival with his song Kinor David, and in 1979 he once more placed first with the song Moshe, written for him by singer-songwriter Avihu Medina.

Collaboration with Medina produced numbers like Shabhi Yerushalayim and Al Tashliheini Le'et Zikna, which became megahits for Tavori and other Mizrahi singers in Israel.[2]

In 1982 Tavori turned down an offer to enter the festival again with the song written for him by Medina, Haperch Be'Gani (which ended up placing first when performed by Medina's second choice, Zohar Argov, launching his legendary career), choosing instead to go perform in New York City. In 1993 Tavori entered the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Chai Et Ma'She Yesh ("I Live With What I've Got"; Hebrew: חי את מה שיש‎). Known also with the ballad "Remember" in the 80's. In 2000, he released a triple album in French "Oriental Tempo" with international contributions of kurd-Turkish superstar Ibrahim Talises, French entertainer Francky Perez and Israeli award winner Meir Banai.

In 2009, he made a national come back finishing second in TV show HaAch HaGadol (VIP Big Brother).

Personal

Shimi Tavori (Shimshon Tawili) was born to a Yemenite Jewish family in Ness Ziona, Israel.

He met his wife Jennifer Joselyn while performing in New York City in 1982. They have three children. One of his songs, Eliran, is named for his firstborn son. After divorcing Joslyn, Tavori married a 17-year old Israeli model, Aviva Azulai, with whom he has two children.

Tavori divorced Azulai and married Osnat Lorber. They also have two children, but are now divorced.[3] Several of Tavori's children are also involved in the music world. His son Daniel was a contestant on Kokhav Nolad.[3]

In 1983, he won 145,000 shekels in the Toto lottery.

See also

  • Mizrahi Music

References

  1. ↑ Collaboration with Uzi Hitman
  2. ↑ Collaboration with Avihu Medina
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kol Ness Ziona, "From 'Big Brother' to Big Comeback," August 14, 2009, vol. 866 (Hebrew)

External links

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