For many years, singer-songwriter David Broza has been steadily gaining reputation throughout the world. A superstar in his homeland of Israel, he is a modern troubadour of urban folk-rock. With over 20 albums to his name, many of which became gold, platinum, and multi-platinum, his popularity achieved new heights with the enormous success of his quadruple platinum album “The Woman By My Side”.
Critics, moved by Broza’s flamenco-tinged, folk-rock melodies, his keen talent for breathing musical life into sensual snippets of poetry, and his dark and sultry good looks, have been quick to label him as “a post-modern Leonard Cohen,” the “Stevie Ray Vaughn” of folk rock, and even “the Mel Gibson of Rock n’ roll.”
But while honored by the comparisons, Broza forges his own road through the music scene all over the world. His 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 music scene all over the world. 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.”
The worldliness in Broza’s songs sets them apart from many others in the genre, and sophisticated listeners will also recognize a diversity of cultural influences in his music. The son of an Israeli/British businessman and a folk singer, he was born in Haifa, Israel (where his grandfather founded an Arab-Israeli settlement), and was raised and educated in England and Spain.
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. “Somehow, one of the songs became a #1 hit in Israel,” he explains. At age 21, he was a star, and by age 27 he was being mobbed by fans in the street as his recordings went triple platinum.
At the height of all that popularity, Broza has started forming yet another base for himself in the United States, building a strong legion of fans, and maintaining a hectic touring schedule. NowHe was an artist-in-residence at Bennington College in Vermont, and gained a wealth of respect in American literary circles and often guest lectures in college writing classes.
An activist, who is committed to several humanitarian causes, Broza was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the UNICEF. His song “Together” (co-written with Ramsey Mclean) was the theme song for the UNICEF 50th anniversary celebration in more than 148 countries.
Meanwhile, the singer-songwriter continues to record albums in Hebrew for his Israeli fans, and travels frequently all over the world. A 1994 and 1999 live concerts recorded at the top of Massada resulted in platinum albums. His Spanish language release, “Isla Mujeres” was released in Spain and was gained superstar recognition.
David creates a unique style of multicultural musical blend, sung in poetic rhythms of three languages. Broza is a captivating, compelling performer who masters his guitar into submission. He is the creator of a classical suite, which has been performed with various orchestras all over the world. His concert tours include Belgium, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.
Most of all, Broza remains buoyed by the self-fulfillment of living his dream. “I’m just happy to be a singer/songwriter and to be making a living from it, “he noted. “You have to be in it for the fun or you might as well sell shoes.”
On January 27, 2023, David Broza released La Mujer Que Yo Quiero.” This album is the Spanish version of “Ha’isha She’iti,” which he released forty years earlier. “Ha’isha She’iti” is the most successful album in Israel’s record industry. It was a tribute to popular Spanish music during the late 1970s and early 1980s. “La Mujer Que Yo Quiero” returns to the Spanish roots. The songs are performed in excellent Spanish, just as they were originally composed.
Discography:
Andalusian Love Song (2015)
East Jerusalem / West Jerusalem (2014)
Third Language (2011)
Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry Of Townes Van Zandt (2010)
At Masada: The Sunrise Concert featuring Shawn Colvin & Jackson Browne (2007)
Broza 5 – Live at Zappa Tel Aviv (2007)
Things Will Be Better: The Best of David Broza (JMG, 2006)
Parking Completo (2006)
Hameitav, Best Of (2004)
Parking Completo (Spanish, 2004)
Todo o Nada, Spanish version of All or Nothing (2002)
All Or Nothing (2002)
Painted Postcard (2002)
Spanish Heart (2001)
Isla Mujeres – The Women’s Island (DRO East, 2000)
Matchil Linshom – Starting to Breathe (Hed Artzi, 1999)
Sodot Gdolim – Big Secrets (RGB Records, 1995)
Stone Door (RGB Records, 1994)
Second Street (RGB Records, 1994)
Elements of Love (RGB Records, 1994)
Masada Live Platinum (RGB Records, 1994)
Time of Trains (RGB Records, 1993)
Neshika Gnuv – Stolen Kiss (NMC Music, 1992)
First Collection (NMC Music, 1990)
Away From Home (RGB Records, 1989)
Poets in New York – Poetas en Nueva York (1986)
Broza (NMC Music, 1984)
Haisha Sheiti – The Woman By My Side (NMC Music, 1983)
Klaf (NMC Music, 1981)
David Broza (NMC Music, 1979)
Hakeves Ha Shisha Asar – The Sixteenth Sheep (NMC Music, 1978)
Sikhot Salon (Small Talk), (Phohokol, 1977)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.