Israeli superstar Idan Raichel has headlined many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Zenith in Paris and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The famed world-music multi-instrumentalist has also collaborated with some of the world’s best-loved musicians, such as American pop stars India.Arie, Dave Matthews and Alicia Keys, Patrick Bruel of France and Vieux Farka Touré of Mali.
Billboard Magazine calls The Idan Raichel Project “a multi-ethnic tour de force.”
Raichel’s goal has long been to break down barriers, musical and cultural. Cross-promoting his 2019 album And If You Will Come To Me, Raichel hopes to break yet more barriers when he headlines the Olympia Theatre in Montreal on November 7.
Raichel recently sat down for a Q&A with Curtains Up.
Curtains Up: Is this your first visit to Montreal?
Idan Raichel: I’ve been to Montreal many times, but this is the first time I will play the piano solo in your city.
I assume the majority of your songs are in Hebrew?
This is the magic of this genre of music called World Music. You can go to a World Music festival and see Spanish flamenco musicians, or listen to Edith Piaf without speaking French, or listen to Youssou N’Dour or Salif Keita – we want them to sing in their own language. Therefore I always choose to sing in my own language. But there are also two or three songs that I sing in English.
What was IDF military service like for you? Was it scary?
We grew up in a country where you know when you turn 18 you will have mandatory service for three years. You do what your father did, and your grandfather before him. You have to protect the borders. I served in a unit of musicians who performed for the soldiers.
As the musical director of your group, you did the arrangements and produced the live shows.
We had a rock band and we played every night in a different army base.
Following your military service, you became a counselor at a boarding school attended by many young Ethiopian Jews, who introduced you to Ethiopian folk and pop music.
For people who are not familiar with Israeli society, it is all about immigrants who define themselves as Jewish, who come from different parts of the world. Immigration has changed the face of Israeli society, including immigrants from Ethiopia. An interesting part of Ethiopian culture that they kept mostly isolated is their Jewish heritage dating back thousands of years. When I was introduced to youngsters from this community, I felt they were facing a lot of identity problems, defining themselves as Ethiopian or Israeli. They also have to face a lot of racism in Israel. I discovered their music as a counselor. Then I began to record music with (Ethiopian) musicians. The rhythms are amazing and their singers are inspiring.
Let me throw a couple of names of entertainers you have worked with. Let’s start with India.Arie.
India.Arie is one of the greatest African-American singers that I have ever performed with. She always brings her truth to the mic and the audience.
Alicia Keys?
There is a saying if you really love a singer, it is perhaps best that you not meet them because you may be disappointed. But meeting Alicia Keys only made me love her and her music more. Music is a tool for her, to deliver messages.
Vieux Farka Touré?
He taught me a lot. He is one of the finest guitar players from West Africa. I recorded two albums with him and we toured two years together. I learned a lot from him.
What can audiences expect from your new live show?
When I come to Montreal, I want to perform for everybody, for people from all communities. I would like for everybody to experience my music. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are Jewish. Music is a universal language. I hope people will come and give my music a chance.
Idan Raichel brings his solo Piano Songs Tour to the Olympia Theatre on November 7. Showtime is 8 pm. For tickets, visit olympiamontreal.com.
For more Idan Raichel, visit idanraichelproject.com.
All photos courtesy Rubin Fogel Productions.
