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Gil Ron Shama
Biography
Gil Ron Shama is an acclaimed artist, musician and writer and an ambassador of goodwill on behalf of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Muslim countries.
His artistic work incorporates world music sounds together with poetry of the Jewish heart, African rhythms beating side by side with electronic beats - the ancient touches the futuristic and cultures meet beyond space and time.
Gil Ron Shama has traveled all around the world, studying drums and stories from tribes and locals. In Israel, he has founded theatres and theatre groups, acting, directing and performing throughout the country. He studied yoga and meditation in India and in 1997 was one of the founders of the band Sheva (Seven), which grew to be one of Israel’s favorite and most successful bands, and an internationally renowned band on the world music scene, having performed at major international festivals and venues worldwide. In 2006, Sheva won Best Live Album of the Year at the prestigious Independent Music Awards (IMA). Now, more than a decade after the band's formation, the group’s success continues with regular performances both in Israel and internationally.
In 2003, Gil Ron Shama, together with Alon Amano Campino founded The Diwan Project – a unique cultural experience that brings musicians and audience together in a mutual song meeting of sacred music that strikes a unique chord amongst peoples of all nations, cultures and religions. The Diwan Project album was released in October, 2008 to high critical praise and continues to sell extremely well in Israel.
For over a decade, Gil has been fulfilling his vision as a communicator between streams, nations, religions and cultures, carrying a message of peace, dialogue and harmony through music, words and listening. He is also an ambassador of goodwill in the Arab world in Muslim countries who don’t have regular diplomatic relations with Israel. Gil is also responsible for translating the admired Sufi poet Jalal a-din Rumi from English to Hebrew.
At the heart of Gil’s work is the connection between Judaism and Islam, the theological, cultural and human likeness of the two religions and the ways in which the similarities can be highlighted over the differences. His ground-breaking work is forging the way for both young Israelis and Jews from around the world to reconnect to their heritage and traditions. In Israel, Gil Ron's music projects have been hugely successful, sparking somewhat of a cultural and spiritual renaissance through his fresh, youthful, Oriental vibe.
Video by Zohar Ron
Video by Zohar Ron
The Diwan Project
The Jews of Medieval Spain had a tradition. They would often meet outside the synagogue or house of study. Following prayer or a study session, they would fill the gap between their religious and secular activity by creating a special kind of culture, integrating in this spiritual quest their yearning for the Shechina (the divine presence) and for the return to Zion. These encounters in Spain, Egypt, Morocco and Yemen were called Diwan.
The rich culture of Diwan; composed of song and Piyut (sacred poetry & prose) is a legacy that has had a profound influence on the creative activity and the songwriting of the people of Israel until this day. Women and men, young and old, even children – all take part in the Diwan, singing and praying together.
The Diwan Project is an ensemble that performs traditional music and song in a free, contemporary Israeli style, using original instruments from the Jewish Diaspora.
As opposed to a concert where the audience listens to the musicians and then applauds their performance, The Diwan Project begins and ends every prayer-song in silence. The journey, which lasts two hours, builds up with the audience’s participation, sharing in song and in common intent. The melodies and lyrics arise from within the collective memory of the Jewish Diaspora and its heritage spanning thousands of years.
In essence, The Diwan Project is a community gathering drawing together people from all cultures and traditions in a spirit of peace, respect and friendship.
The Diwan Project is an encounter and not a performance.
The Diwan Project is a revival of the sacred, ancient tradition of the Levites through piyut and prayer.
The Diwan Project creates an invisible link between the choir, the audience and the musicians who become as one.
Listen to music from The Diwan Project
Shamati
Eem Betoch
| the_diwan_project_technical_rider_english.pdf |
Workshops
Gil Ron Shama has created a series of inspiring and interactive artist workshops based on the sacred music of The Diwan Project. The workshops will engage and excite both professional musicians and community groups from all corners of the globe in a true multicultural artistic experience, providing them with a unique insight into the myriad of Israeli musical influences, structures and rhythms.
Spanning from East to West, The Diwan Project workshops will explore the harmonious connections between Judaism and Islam through the mirror of music and will delve into the power of piyut – the sacred music of Israel.
Specialist workshops can be created for specific groups including; Women's Sacred Singing Circles, Exploring Yemenite, Iranian and Persian musical roots, Children's creative music circles, and unique Kabalat Shabbat experiences.
Gil Ron Shama and his musicians are also available for private functions.
Video by Zohar Ron
The Nomad Show
The Nomad Show is a high-octane, joyous, multi-ethnic musical experience. The band, comprising some of Israel’s leading musicians, play a totally infectious blend of world beats from the mountains to the deserts around the world, with an emphasis on nomadic, soulful gypsy tunes. "The Nomad Show was inspired by my childhood memories of the music from my father's house" says Gil Ron Shama. "Our family roots spanned from Syria, to Egypt and Europe and the musical influences in my home were rich and diverse."
The music of The Nomad Show blends cultures, traditions and styles and is played with authentic ethnic instruments as well as modern instruments and electronic beats. Flute bag, ney, didgeridoo and accordion side by side with electric guitars, baglama and sitar. The band seamlessly blend from reggae and soul to rock, electronic, and unique ethnic concoctions filled with renewed energy. Voices from the east and sounds from the ancient scriptures, contagious gypsy joy from the Balkans, Spain, North Africa and much more.
The Nomad Show is guaranteed to have you jiving and grooving all night long.
